Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
Women and slaves who accompanied the Muslim army were not allotted fixed shares in the distribution of war booty. However, the Prophet ﷺ did grant them gifts (‘aṭiyyah / riḍkh) from the spoils as appreciation for their service.
➊ Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
«أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يغزو بالنساء فيداوين الجرحي ويحذين من الغنيمة وأما بسهم فلم يضرب لهن»
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go out on campaigns with women. They would treat the wounded, and they were given gifts from the booty, but no fixed share was allocated for them.”
[Muslim 1812; Tirmidhi 1556; Abu Dawud 2727; Nasa’i 7/128; Ahmad 1/308]
➋ Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
When asked whether women and slaves were given a share if they were present among the fighters, he replied:
«أنه لم يكن لها سهم معلوم إلا أن يحذيا من غنائم القوم»
“They had no fixed share, but they could be given something from the booty as a gift.”
[Muslim 1812]
➌ Hadith of ‘Umair, the freed slave of Abi al-Lahm:
He joined the Battle of Khaybar with other freed slaves. The Prophet ﷺ commanded that they be given some household items (like cooking pots) as gifts.
[Sahih: Irwa’ al-Ghalil 1234; Abu Dawud 2730; Ibn Majah 2855; Tirmidhi 1557; Ahmad 5/223; al-Darimi 2/226; Ibn al-Jarud 1087; al-Hakim 2/131; al-Bayhaqi 6/332]
A narration from Hashraj bin Ziyad claims that the Prophet ﷺ allocated fixed shares for women after battles.
Therefore, this narration cannot be used as evidence.
The correct view, closer to the Hadith, is that women and slaves are given gifts from booty, but not a full fixed share.
✔ Women and slaves had no assigned share in māl al-ghanīmah.
✔ They could be honored with gifts (riḍkh) from the booty for their service.
✔ Fixed shares applied only to regular combatants.
✔ This ensures fairness while recognizing their contributions in support roles.
✿ Principle
Women and slaves who accompanied the Muslim army were not allotted fixed shares in the distribution of war booty. However, the Prophet ﷺ did grant them gifts (‘aṭiyyah / riḍkh) from the spoils as appreciation for their service.
✿ Evidences
➊ Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
«أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يغزو بالنساء فيداوين الجرحي ويحذين من الغنيمة وأما بسهم فلم يضرب لهن»
“The Prophet ﷺ used to go out on campaigns with women. They would treat the wounded, and they were given gifts from the booty, but no fixed share was allocated for them.”
[Muslim 1812; Tirmidhi 1556; Abu Dawud 2727; Nasa’i 7/128; Ahmad 1/308]
➋ Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
When asked whether women and slaves were given a share if they were present among the fighters, he replied:
«أنه لم يكن لها سهم معلوم إلا أن يحذيا من غنائم القوم»
“They had no fixed share, but they could be given something from the booty as a gift.”
[Muslim 1812]
➌ Hadith of ‘Umair, the freed slave of Abi al-Lahm:
He joined the Battle of Khaybar with other freed slaves. The Prophet ﷺ commanded that they be given some household items (like cooking pots) as gifts.
[Sahih: Irwa’ al-Ghalil 1234; Abu Dawud 2730; Ibn Majah 2855; Tirmidhi 1557; Ahmad 5/223; al-Darimi 2/226; Ibn al-Jarud 1087; al-Hakim 2/131; al-Bayhaqi 6/332]
✿ Weak Narration
A narration from Hashraj bin Ziyad claims that the Prophet ﷺ allocated fixed shares for women after battles.
- Ibn Hajar: Hashraj is majhool (unknown). [Talkhis al-Habir 3/222]
- Imam Khattabi: Its chain is weak, not a valid proof. [Ma‘alim al-Sunan 2/307]
- Imam Dhahabi: Hashraj is unreliable. [Mizan al-I‘tidal 1/551]
- Shaykh al-Albani: Declared it weak. [Irwa’ al-Ghalil 1238]
Therefore, this narration cannot be used as evidence.✿ Scholarly Opinions
- Ibn Qudamah, Sa‘id bin al-Musayyib, Imam Malik, Imam Thawri, Imam al-Layth, Imam al-Shafi‘i, Imam Ishaq, and Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
Women and slaves may be given gifts from booty, but not fixed shares.
[al-Mughni 13/92-93] - Abu Thawr, ‘Umar bin ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, Imam Hasan, and Imam al-Nakha‘i:
Slaves should be given a fixed share. - Imam al-Awza‘i:
Neither fixed share nor gift for slaves—unless they personally acquire booty in battle.
✿ Stronger Opinion (Rajih)
The correct view, closer to the Hadith, is that women and slaves are given gifts from booty, but not a full fixed share.
✿ Summary
✔ Women and slaves had no assigned share in māl al-ghanīmah.
✔ They could be honored with gifts (riḍkh) from the booty for their service.
✔ Fixed shares applied only to regular combatants.
✔ This ensures fairness while recognizing their contributions in support roles.
