became fayʾ (property that reverts to the Muslim treasury), and whatever wealth they left behind was treated as fayʾ; it was not distributed among the combatants because it had not been gained through fighting.

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “Whatever Allah restored to His Messenger from them, you did not urge on any horse or camel for it” (Qur’an 59:6). He then clarified how fayʾ is to be spent: “Whatever Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns belongs to Allah, the Messenger, close relatives, orphans, the poor, and the traveler in need” (Qur’an 59:7).

3 – The ḥadith indicates that it is permissible to cut down palm-trees, burn them, demolish forts, and the like whenever this secures a benefit for the Muslims and deals a blow to the enemy, as happened in the siege of Banu al-Nadir.

4 – Fayʾ is wealth taken rightfully and without fighting from the property of unbelievers who have no covenant with the Muslims. It is so called because it “returns” from those who have no rightful claim to it to the Muslims, who are more entitled to it.

5 – The ḥadith also shows that destruction is permissible when it is a means to a benefit that outweighs the resulting harm. The maxim “warding off harms takes precedence over procuring benefits” applies only when the act brings nothing but corruption, or when the harm exceeds the benefit.