Ḥadīth of ʿAlī (RA) and the Ruling on Khums of Ghanīmah
Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 01, p. 568
❖ Question
I have not directly seen this ḥadīth in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, but I think it mentions the incident that during a battle, ʿAlī (RA) allocated a slave-girl for himself before the distribution of war booty. A companion objected, saying that ʿAlī (RA) had acted unjustly. But the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ rebuked that companion, saying: why do you complain about ʿAlī (RA)? Then some people object, claiming that ʿAlī (RA) would never have done such a thing and thus the ḥadīth itself must be false.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. II, Kitāb al-Maghāzī, Bāb Baʿth ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, p. 623, it is clearly stated that ʿAlī (RA) obtained that slave-girl from the khums (one-fifth share) of the ghanīmah.
When a companion raised an objection, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
“Do not be displeased with ʿAlī, for his share in the khums is far greater than this (slave-girl).”
Therefore, there is no room for objection to this ḥadīth.
Furthermore, in the very first verse of the tenth juz of the Qur’an, it is explicitly mentioned that the relatives of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ also have a share in the khums of ghanīmah. Since ʿAlī (RA) was among the close relatives of the Prophet ﷺ, this incident fully accords with Qur’an and ḥadīth.
Thus, those who object to this ḥadīth should first be asked: what is their view regarding this verse of the Qur’an? Are they willing—God forbid—to label it as false?
Naʿūdhu billāh min dhālik
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
