Based on the book “Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Imām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām” by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abū al-Fatḥ, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Aban bin Sa‘id bin al-‘As from Madinah as the commander of a battalion toward Najd. After the conquest of Khaybar, Aban and his companions arrived, but since they had not participated in the actual battle, the Prophet ﷺ did not allot them any share from the war booty.
Source: Abu Dawood through Isma’il bin ‘Ayyash from al-Zubaydi
[Bukhari: 2827, 4238 | Abu Dawood: 2723]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ allotted three shares in the booty to a horseman:
➊ One for the person
➋ Two for his horse
This Hadith is agreed upon.
[Bukhari: 4228, 2863 | Abu Dawood: 2733]
(This narration is authenticated as Sahih)
② Such spoils of war are termed “Māl-e-Ghanīmat” and “Māl-e-Fay’”, and are to be distributed among Muslim warriors.
③ Only those who participate in the actual battle are entitled to the spoils from that specific battle.
④ The war booty must be collected centrally.
→ One-fifth (Khums) is to be taken out first (as per Islamic law).
→ The remainder is then distributed among the fighters.
⑤ Islamic allocation system:
◈ A Historical Example: No Share for the Latecomers
Narration of Abu Hurairahؓ:The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Aban bin Sa‘id bin al-‘As from Madinah as the commander of a battalion toward Najd. After the conquest of Khaybar, Aban and his companions arrived, but since they had not participated in the actual battle, the Prophet ﷺ did not allot them any share from the war booty.
Source: Abu Dawood through Isma’il bin ‘Ayyash from al-Zubaydi
[Bukhari: 2827, 4238 | Abu Dawood: 2723]
◈ Allocation of Shares: One for the Warrior, Two for the Horse
Narration of Abdullah ibn ‘Umarؓ:The Messenger of Allah ﷺ allotted three shares in the booty to a horseman:
➊ One for the person
➋ Two for his horse
This Hadith is agreed upon.
[Bukhari: 4228, 2863 | Abu Dawood: 2733]
◈ Additional Report from Daraqutni
According to Daraqutni, the Prophet ﷺ used to allocate:- Two shares for a horseman
- One share for a foot soldier
(This narration is authenticated as Sahih)
❀ Key Rulings and Insights
① Wealth taken from disbelievers is lawful for Muslims during valid warfare.② Such spoils of war are termed “Māl-e-Ghanīmat” and “Māl-e-Fay’”, and are to be distributed among Muslim warriors.
③ Only those who participate in the actual battle are entitled to the spoils from that specific battle.
④ The war booty must be collected centrally.
→ One-fifth (Khums) is to be taken out first (as per Islamic law).
→ The remainder is then distributed among the fighters.
⑤ Islamic allocation system:
- A foot soldier gets one share
- A horseman gets three shares: one for himself and two additional for his horse.
