Setting
We got some food on the Day of Khaybar. A man would come and take the amount he needed from it then go away
We got some food on the Day of Khaybar. A man would come and take the amount he needed from it then go away
It was reported about ‘Abdullāh ibn Abi Awfa that he was asked (by Muhammad ibn Abi Mujāhid): "Were you people setting aside one-fifth of the spoils of war – meaning the food – during the time of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?" He replied: "We got some food on the Day of Khaybar. A man would come and take the amount he needed from it then go away."
[Its chain of narrators is Sahih/Authentic.] [Narrated by Abu Daoud]
Explanation
According to this Hadīth, if a Muslim fighter needs to eat from the food seized as spoils of war, he may do so but without storing any of it. Rather, he eats as much as he needs and leaves the rest. Keeping food beyond his need in reserve is considered unlawful appropriation of the spoils of war, but eating his need of it is not appropriation. This forbiddance only applies to what he takes exclusively for himself apart from his fellow fighters. As to what he shares with them of food and fruit, there is no harm on him in taking his lawful share from it.Categories
Rulings and Issues of Jihad