Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "No spoils of war were ever lawful for any human before you; a fire used to descend from the sky and consume the spoils." On the day of the Battle of Badr, before the spoils were made lawful, people rushed upon them to acquire them. Allah the Exalted revealed this verse: «لَوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِنَ اللَّـهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ» "Had it not been for a prior decree from Allah, a severe punishment would have afflicted you for what you took." (8-Al-Anfal:68)