Juz 10: Al-Anfāl 41 to At-Tawbah 92
Section 2 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
2. Distribution of War Spoils in Islam | Verses: Al-Anfal 8:41-41
The tenth juz begins with the continuation of Surah Al-Anfal, addressing the question posed at the beginning of the surah: "They ask you about the spoils of war" (Al-Anfal 8:1). Allah (swt) now provides a comprehensive answer regarding the distribution of war booty (ghanimah), establishing a system that ensures fairness and meets the needs of various segments of society.
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ آمَنْتُمْ بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“And know that whatever spoils you gain, one-fifth of it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for the near relatives and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer — if you believe in Allah and what We sent down to Our servant on the day of distinction, the day when the two forces met. And Allah has power over everything." [8:41]”
This verse establishes the principle of khums (one-fifth) in the distribution of war spoils. The verse specifies that one-fifth of the war booty should be allocated to five categories: Allah and His Messenger (which in practice means for public welfare and the needs of the Prophet's family), the near relatives (of the Prophet), orphans, the needy, and travelers in need. This fifth is essentially designated for the welfare of the community, particularly its most vulnerable members.
The remaining four-fifths (80%) of the spoils are to be distributed among the warriors who participated in the battle. This distribution serves as one source of income for those who risked their lives defending the Muslim community. The system ensures that while those who fought receive compensation for their efforts, a significant portion is allocated to societal welfare, creating a balance between individual reward and communal benefit.
The timing of this revelation is significant as it came after the Battle of Badr, which was the first major military confrontation between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Makkah. This battle established not only the military prowess of the Muslim community but also the economic and administrative systems needed to manage the newfound resources.
By linking the distribution system to "if you believe in Allah," the verse makes adherence to this system a matter of faith. The reference to "the day of distinction" (Yawm al-Furqan) emphasizes the pivotal nature of the Battle of Badr, which distinguished truth from falsehood and marked the beginning of the ascendancy of Islam in Arabia.
The distribution system established here represents the comprehensive nature of Islamic guidance, which addresses both spiritual and material aspects of community life. It ensures that wealth is not concentrated among the powerful but is shared with those in need, reflecting the Islamic principles of social justice and communal solidarity.