towards Najd; [they took many camels as spoils], and each received an allotted share of twelve or eleven camels, together with an additional camel as a bonus.

Section

Fay’ and the fifth are governed by the same rules, for Allah Most High treats them alike in His Book. He, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“Know that whatever spoils you acquire, one-fifth belongs to Allah, the Messenger, close relatives, orphans, the needy, and stranded travellers.” [al-Anfāl: 41]

And He, Most High, says:

“Whatever Allah has restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns belongs to Allah, the Messenger, close relatives, orphans, the needy, and stranded travellers.” [al-Hashr: 7]

There are six views concerning how these two funds are to be distributed.

The first is that they belong to all Muslims, to be spent for their benefit and distributed among them, without being restricted to the categories mentioned in the two verses. Those categories are mentioned only to emphasize their claims. This is Mālik’s position.

The second is that these funds are distributed among the categories mentioned in the two verses according to discretionary judgment.

The third is that they are divided into six equal shares: a share for Allah, devoted to charitable purposes; a share for the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace; a share for his relatives; a share for orphans; a share for the needy; and a share for stranded travellers.

The fourth is that a handful is taken from these funds and placed in the Kaaba, while the remainder is divided equally among the five categories mentioned.

The fifth is that they are divided into five equal shares, with Allah’s share serving as the introduction to the shares, since this world and everything in it belong to Allah.

The sixth is that they are divided into four equal shares, for close relatives, orphans, the needy, and stranded travellers. On this understanding, the words “belongs to Allah and the Messenger” mean that they have authority over its distribution among those named in the two verses.

Those who hold that the fifth is divided into five shares disagree over the shares of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his relatives after his death. One group maintains that these are to be spent on horses and weapons. Another holds that the Messenger of Allah’s share belongs to the caliph who succeeds him, and his relatives’ share belongs to the caliph’s relatives. Yet another maintains that the share of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is distributed among the remaining categories, while his relatives’ share remains theirs until the Day of Resurrection.

There is disagreement concerning which of his relatives Allah assigned a share of fay’ and war spoils and prohibited from receiving charity