He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked:

“May meat be divided without weighing it? And may figs, grapes, pomegranates, melons and cucumbers be divided by number?”

He replied:

“As for dividing meat according to its value, the correct view is that this is permissible, because division separates the respective shares; according to the correct view, it is not a sale. This is how the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—used to divide the produce with the people of Khaybar, by estimation. ‘Abd Allāh ibn Rawāhah would estimate the dates on the palm trees and divide them between the Muslims and the Jews, whereas selling fresh dates by estimation is not permissible. Likewise, the Muslims used to slaughter camels and divide them among themselves without weighing them. They did this during the lifetime of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

“The same applies to everything in this category. Figs and grapes may be divided without measuring by volume or weighing, and pomegranates may be divided by number, as may melons and cucumbers. This is the correct view concerning all items counted individually: they may be divided according to their value. Such division is not a sale, but expertise must be taken into account when balancing the portions.

“The point is that the shares may be apportioned equitably [by] (1) whatever means are available: measuring by volume or weighing where possible, and otherwise by estimation and valuation. This is not like a sale, for division is permissible for all kinds of property, and dates may be divided before they begin to ripen. And Allah knows best.”