Is it sufficient to distribute the expiation amount by allocating it to the poor jointly without specifying equality?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
If the position is that mere feeding is insufficient but ownership transfer is required, then if sixty Mudd are presented and the presenter states, 'This is for you equally,' it suffices if they accept. This is because ownership of the disposition and benefit has been transferred to them before the division. This is the apparent stance of Al-Shafi'i.
Supporting text
Abu Abdullah ibn Hamid stated that it suffices even without explicitly mentioning equality, as the statement, 'Take this as your expiation,' implies equality because that is its inherent ruling. Al-Qadi stated that it suffices if one knows that each individual received their due share, but if this is unknown, it is insufficient because the primary concern is discharging the liability until the right is known to have reached its recipient.