Chapter: The Division of Spoils and Those Entitled to Shares
When the mujifūn—the army or an independent detachment—secure booty, one-fifth of it is immediately set aside, whether the amount be small or great, in coin, merchandise, or battlefield trophies. No individual is to be granted a special bonus from this booty itself; such bonuses may be given only out of the khums after the fighting has cooled. Once that one-fifth has been removed, the remaining four-fifths are distributed among the mujifūn who were present at the engagement, whether or not each of them actually fought, so long as he provided support or reinforcement and is a free Muslim. A non-Muslim has no share in ghanīmah at all, whether he witnessed the battle or not, save for whatever might reach him from fay.
No share is allotted to a slave or to a woman, but if either of them attends the engagement and the imam wishes to give a gratuity from the spoils, there is no objection. A free minor who is capable of fighting is given a share, as are a merchant and a hired worker if they take part in the fighting. A minor who busies himself with his trade instead of fighting is not given a share. Whoever dies before the battle is not entitled to anything, whether his death occurs in enemy territory or before entering it. If, however, he was present at the fighting—whether as an active combatant or simply one who reinforced the numbers—and then died before the booty was secured, his heirs receive his share.
A mounted combatant receives three shares: one for himself and two for his horse; the foot soldier receives one share. Anyone who sets out with several horses is allotted for only one of them, and no share is granted for any item of equipment other than a horse, in deference to the prophetic precedent. Whoever attends the battle mounted is given the mounted man’s share; the scholars of Medina do not consider how one entered enemy territory, only the actual encounter, so if a man enters mounted but fights on foot he receives the share of an infantryman.
Hijn and baradhīn, when they approach thoroughbreds in lightness and speed, are treated as horses, whereas no share is allotted for a mule or a donkey. Whoever dies after the booty has been secured but before it is divided, or