غزوات و سرایا میں مالِ غنیمت اور خمس کی تقسیم: سیرتِ نبوی ﷺ کی روشنی میں مطالعہ

Distribution of Spoils of War and Khums during Battles and Expeditions: A Study in the Light of the Prophetic Biography

Abstract

The life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provides comprehensive guidance for all dimensions of human conduct, including military affairs and financial regulations related to warfare. One of the most significant aspects of Islamic military finance is the system governing the distribution of spoils of war (Ghanīmah) and the allocation of Khums. Spoils of war constitute an incidental source of income lawfully acquired during armed conflict, and Islam introduced a just and well-defined framework for their distribution. This study examines the principles of distributing spoils of war and Khums during the Ghazawāt and Sarāyā in the light of the Prophetic biography. It highlights that before the revelation of detailed Qur’anic injunctions, the spoils of the Battle of Badr were distributed equally among the participants. Subsequently, the Qur’an established a permanent and binding system through Surah al-Anfāl (41), mandating that one-fifth of the spoils be allocated for Allah, His Messenger, close relatives, orphans, the needy, and travelers, while the remaining four-fifths be distributed among the fighters. The study emphasizes that the shares fixed by divine command cannot be altered by any ruler or military commander. By analyzing Qur’anic verses and Prophetic practices, this research demonstrates that the Islamic system of distributing spoils ensured justice, transparency, and morale among the combatants, while simultaneously strengthening the financial structure of the early Islamic state. The study concludes that this Prophetic model remains a valuable reference for Islamic military ethics and public finance.