Is giving bread as expiation permissible?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
There are two narrations from Ahmad regarding the validity of giving bread. The first narration, chosen by Al-Kharqi, indicates it is permissible. Ahmad expressed in narration to Al-Athram that he hoped it would suffice if someone baked the required flour and distributed the bread to ten poor persons, fulfilling the quantity mentioned in the Hadith of feeding a Mudd of wheat. This is supported by the verse commanding feeding from the average sustenance of the family (Quran 5:89), as bread is part of the average sustenance, and it relieves the recipients of the burden of milling and preparation, thus fulfilling the purpose of immediate sustenance.
Supporting text
A second narration suggests bread is invalid. Ahmad stated that one should give wheat or flour by weight (a Mudd and one-third per person). This view holds that bread is invalid because it departs from the state of perfection and storage, resembling Harisa.