Al-Shāfiʿī and Ahmad, however, said:

“Rather, after his death, his share is to be allocated to the same purposes as fay’: either to military mounts and weapons or to public interests in general.”

These scholars differed as to whether the fay’ belonged to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—during his lifetime. There are two positions. The first is that it did, as al-Shāfiʿī and some of Ahmad’s companions held, because it was ascribed to him. The second is that it did not belong to him, because he did not exercise over it the authority of an owner.

Another group said:

“The close relatives are the relatives (1) of the authority responsible for apportioning it: during his lifetime, this was the Messenger, and after him it is whoever assumes authority.”

They cited what was reported from him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that he said:

“Any grant Allah bestows upon a prophet belongs to whoever (2) assumes authority after him.” (3)

The fifth position is that of Mālik, the people of Medina, and most of the early generations: the one-fifth share and fay’ are allocated in the same way, and both belong in their entirety to Allah and the Messenger, meaning that they are expended as Allah has commanded. The Messenger is the one who conveys Allah’s message:

“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”

[Surah al-Hashr: 7]