If a man performs Zihar against all four of his wives with a single collective phrase, how many atonements are due?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
If a man pronounces Zihar against his four wives with one single utterance, saying, 'You all are to me like the back of my mother,' only one atonement is required. This is the undisputed position within the Madhhab, supported by 'Ali, 'Umar, 'Urwah, Tawus, 'Ata', Rabi'ah, Malik, Al-Awza'i, Ishaq, Abu Thawr, and Al-Shafi'i in his old opinion. The evidence is the general statement of 'Umar and 'Ali, which has no known opposing view among the Companions, suggesting consensus. Furthermore, Zihar is a single utterance that necessitates an atonement upon violation; if it occurs concerning a group, a single atonement lifts its ruling, just as a single oath by God suffices.
Supporting text
Al-Hasan, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Zuhri, Yahya al-Ansari, Al-Hakam, Al-Thawri, the Ashab al-Ra'y, and Al-Shafi'i in his new opinion hold that an atonement is due for each wife. They argue that Zihar and the intent to resume relations occurred concerning each woman individually, thus necessitating a separate atonement for each, similar to if he had addressed each one separately.