What is ‘war booty’ and what is the meaning of Khums?
ما هي الغنائم وماذا يقصد بالخمس؟
In the Islamic tradition: the distribution of spoils is a regulated process that ensures social justice. War booty is not merely for the fighters; rather: the Holy Quran mandates that a portion (the Khums) be set aside for the common good and for the support of the Prophet (PBUH) and the vulnerable members of society. This system helps prevent the concentration of wealth and supports those in need.
يعد توزيع الغنائم في الإسلام عملية منظمة تضمن العدالة الاجتماعية. فالغنائم ليست مخصصة للمقاتلين فحسب؛ بل أوجب القرآن الكريم اقتطاع جزء منها (الخمس) للمصلحة العامة ولدعم النبي ﷺ والفئات الضعيفة في المجتمع. يساعد هذا النظام في منع تركز الثروة ويوفر الدعم للمحتاجين واليتامى والمساكين.
Quranic Evidence | الدليل من القرآن الكريم
Al-Anfal 8:41: (Know that whatever spoils you take, one-fifth is for Allah and the Messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the poor, and needy travellers, if you truly believe in Allah and what We revealed to Our servant on that decisive day when the two armies met at Badr. And Allah is Most Capable of everything.)
الأنفال 8: 41: (وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍۢ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُۥ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ)
Scholarly Insight: The legislation of Khums in the Holy Quran marked a significant departure from pre-Islamic customs where tribal leaders often took the majority of spoils. The verse refers to the "Decisive Day" (Yawm al-Furqan): which is the Battle of Badr: where Allah distinguished truth from falsehood. By allocating one-fifth for Allah and His Messenger: the funds were utilized for the state's needs and social welfare: emphasizing that victory comes from Allah and its fruits should serve the entire community: especially those in hardship.