the family one-third, feeds his poor neighbors one-third, and gives one-third as charity to those who ask. It was narrated by the Hafiz Abu Musa al-Asbahani in "al-Waza'if", who said: "It is a Hasan (good) hadith." This is also because it is the statement of Ibn Mas'ud and Ibn Umar, and we do not know of any dissenter among the Companions regarding it, so it constitutes a consensus (Ijma'). Furthermore, Allah the Almighty said: "So eat of them and feed the Qani' (contented) and the Mu'tarr (the supplicant)." The Qani' is the one who asks; it is said: "qana'a qunu'an" if he asks, and "qani'a qana'atan" if he is content. The poet said:

If a man’s wealth sets him right and suffices his needs, that is better than begging.

The Mu'tarr is the one who comes to you, meaning he presents himself to you so that you feed him, without explicitly asking. Thus, He mentioned three categories, and it is appropriate that it be divided among them in thirds. As for the verse cited by the companions of al-Shafi'i, Allah the Almighty did not specify the amount to be eaten and the amount to be given as charity, but it has been indicated in our verse, and interpreted by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) through his actions, by Ibn Umar through his statement, and by Ibn Mas'ud through his command. Regarding the report of the Ashab al-Ra'y (scholars of personal opinion), it refers to the Hady (sacrificial gifts for Hajj), and since Hady is often abundant, a person may not be able to divide it or take a third; thus, giving it as charity becomes determined. However, the matter in this is flexible; if one gives all of it or most of it as charity, it is permissible, and if one eats all of it except for an uqiyyah (a unit of weight) which he gives as charity, it is permissible. The companions of al-Shafi'i said: It is permissible to eat all of it. Our evidence is that Allah the Almighty said: "So eat of them and feed the Qani' and the Mu'tarr," and also said: "And feed the miserable and the poor." A command implies obligation. Some scholars have said: It is obligatory to eat from it, and it is not permissible to give all of it as charity, due to the command to eat from it. Our response is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) slaughtered five camels and did not eat anything from them, saying: "Whoever wishes may take a piece." Furthermore, it is a sacrifice intended to draw closer to Allah the Almighty, so eating from it is not obligatory, like the Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn); the command is for recommendation or permissibility, like the command to eat from fruits and crops and to look at them.