Thus, the Messenger conveys Allah’s commands and prohibitions. Wealth ascribed to Allah and His Messenger is therefore wealth to be spent as Allah and His Messenger have commanded, whether on obligatory or recommended purposes. By contrast, wealth of which Allah has granted His servants ownership may be spent by them on permissible things.

Accordingly, when Allah said concerning slaves who had contracted to purchase their freedom:

“And give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you.”

[Surah al-Nūr: 33]

Most scholars, including Mālik, Abū Hanīfah, and others, held that what is meant is: “[Allah] (1) has given you some of the wealth that Allah has made the property of His servants (2).” For He did not ascribe this wealth to the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—unlike the wealth He ascribed to Allah and the Messenger, which may be given out only as Allah and His Messenger have commanded.

The spoils therefore belong to Allah and the Messenger, for (3) the authority to distribute them rests with Allah and the Messenger. They are unlike inheritances, which Allah apportioned among those entitled to them. The same applies to the wealth constituting the one-fifth share and the wealth of the fay’.