through fear cast into my enemies’ hearts from a month’s journey away. The earth has been made a place of prayer and a means of purification for me, so let any man of my nation pray when the time for prayer comes. War booty has been made lawful for me, though it was not lawful for anyone before me. I have been granted intercession. Each prophet was sent specifically to his own people, whereas I have been sent to all humanity.”
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said:
“I have been sent with the sword ahead of the Hour, so that Allah alone is worshipped, without any partner. My provision has been placed beneath the shade of my spear, and humiliation and abasement have been imposed upon whoever opposes my command. Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Ahmad narrated this in his Musnad from Ibn ‘Umar, and al-Bukhārī cited it as supporting evidence.
The obligation concerning war booty is to set aside one-fifth, distribute that fifth to those whom Allah Most High has mentioned, and divide the remainder among those who took part in the campaign. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “War booty belongs to those who were present at the battle.” These are those who attended for the purpose of fighting, whether or not they actually fought. It must be divided fairly among them, without favouring anyone because of his leadership, lineage, or merit, just as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his caliphs used to divide it.
Sahīh al-Bukhārī reports that Sa‘d ibn Abī Waqqās, may Allah be pleased with him, considered himself to have greater merit than those below him. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Are you granted victory and provision except through the weak among you?”
In Ahmad’s Musnad, Sa‘d ibn Abī Waqqās reported:
“I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, should a man who defends his people receive the same share as anyone else?’ He replied, ‘May your mother be bereaved of you, son of Umm Sa‘d! Are you granted provision and victory