Those engaged in this jihad are to be supported from the same funds used to support all other military campaigners (1). If they have an allotment or stipend sufficient for them (2), that is enough; otherwise, they are to be given the full amount needed for their campaign (3) from public-interest funds and zakat funds, for this is in the cause of Allah.
If wayfarers who have been waylaid owe zakat—such as merchants who may be waylaid—the ruler may collect the zakat due on their wealth and spend it in the cause of Allah Most High, such as on those pursuing the brigands.
If the brigands wield such formidable power that there is a need to win them over, the ruler may give some of their leaders funds from fay’ revenues, public-interest funds, or zakat, so that a leader will help him bring in the others, or so that he will desist (4) from his wrongdoing, thereby weakening the rest (5), or for some similar purpose. This is permissible. Such leaders would be among those whose hearts are to be reconciled. More than one leading scholar, including Ahmad and others, has mentioned this, and it is plainly established by the Quran, the Sunnah, and the principles of the Sacred Law.
The ruler may not send anyone who is too weak to confront the brigands, nor anyone who takes money from those who have been waylaid—merchants and others (6) among the wayfarers. Rather, he must send some of