Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Hani bin Kulthum Al-Kinani narrates that I was the commander of the army which conquered the land of Syria. I wrote to Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) informing him that we have conquered a land in which there is abundance of food, drink, and fodder. I dislike to take any initiative regarding anything without your permission and command without your permission and command, so please write your opinion and inform us. Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote back to me, saying: Give people permission to eat and to feed their animals with fodder, and whoever sells anything in exchange for gold or silver, then on that there is khums and the Muslims' share as well.

Hazrat Fadala bin Ubaid (may Allah be pleased with him), who is a companion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, was asked about the food and fodder of the enemy present in the land of Rome. Hazrat Fadala replied: Indeed, these people wanted to turn us away from our religion, and by Allah, I hope this will not happen until we are martyred and meet Muhammad ﷺ. Whoever sells food for gold or silver, then khums is obligatory in it and the share of the Muslims is also necessary.

Hazrat Fadala bin Ubaid Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) says that this nation surely wants to turn us away from our religion. By Allah, I wish that my death comes to me while I am steadfast on this religion. Whoever sells anything from it for gold or silver, khums and the share of the Muslims is obligatory upon him.

Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) said that when the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him) found camels and cows among the spoils of war, they would eat from them, and their animals would graze, and they would not sell them. If they had already sold them, they would return them to the place of distribution.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that on the day of Khaybar, I was given a bag in which there was fat. I took hold of it saying that I would not give anyone anything from it. When I turned back, the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was standing and smiling after hearing what I said. Seeing this scene, I felt very shy.

Hazrat Mujahid says that we participated in jihad, and there was a share in food, fruits, fodder, and honey without any distribution.

Ibrahim states that the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would eat food and such from the war booty land and would feed the animals before extracting the khums.

Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) says that when the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him) conquered a city or a fort, they would partake of flour, sattu (roasted grain powder), ghee, and honey from there.

Hazrat Ata (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a people who participated in a battle, and they took part in a military expedition, and there they found containers (bags) of ghee, honey, and food. What is the ruling? He replied: They may eat from it, and whatever remains should be handed over to their leader.

Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the noble Companions j used to permit the use of food and fodder before the spoils of war were gathered. As long as people did not collect them as property.

Hazrat Abu Alia narrates from Hazrat Suwaid, who was the servant of Hazrat Salman and has been mentioned in good words, he says: When the Mujahideen conquered Mada'in and went out in search of the enemy, I found a basket. Hazrat Salman said to me: Do you have anything to eat? I replied that I have found a basket. He said: Bring it. If it contains wealth, we will return it, and if it contains food, we will eat it.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about the ruling on food and other items found in enemy territory. He replied: If it has been sold in exchange for dirhams, it should be returned; otherwise, it will be considered as misappropriation.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Muhairiz (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) and others said regarding the person who found food and fodder in the land of Rome: He should eat the food and use the fodder, and if he sells any of it for gold or silver, then he should include it in the spoils of the Muslims.

Hazrat Aamir (may Allah have mercy on him) says that there is no harm in eating the food and feeding the fodder found in the enemy's land to the animals, and whatever is sold from it will be common among the Muslims.

Hazrat Dahhak (may Allah have mercy on him) says that when a military expedition sets out for jihad, and they obtain a cow, goat, etc. as spoils, they may eat from it as much as needed but should not waste it, and if those animals are sent to the army, then they will be shared among everyone.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that during jihad, if we found fruits and honey, we would eat them and would not take them to the place of distribution of spoils.