Islam's Mercenary Mission
With one exception from Sunni Path, the hadith quoted herein are from the collections published by the Muslim Student Association at USC. Tafsir quotes are from tafsir.com. You can search Ibn Kathir's Tafsir at http://www.qtafsir.com. USC-MSA has its own search engines for the Qur'an & hadith.
Surah Al-Anfal is titled "The Spoils of War", "Booty" or "Windfalls" depending on the translator. It begins with a declaration that the spoils belong to Allah and Moe.
8:1. They ask you (O Muhammad ) about the spoils of war. Say: "The spoils are for Allâh and the Messenger." So fear Allâh and adjust all matters of difference among you, and obey Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad ), if you are believers.Ibn Kathir's Tafsir informs us that this ayah resulted from disputes about spoils. The Reason behind revealing Ayah 8:1
Imam Ahmad recorded that Sa`d bin Malik said, "I said, `O Allah's Messenger, Allah has brought comfort to me today over the idolators, so grant me this sword.' He said, (This sword is neither yours nor mine; put it down.) So I put it down, but said to myself, `The Prophet might give this sword to another man who did not fight as fiercely as I did.' I heard a man calling me from behind and I said, `Has Allah revealed something in my case' The Prophet said, (You asked me to give you the sword, but it is not for me to decide about. However, it has been granted to me (by Allah), and I give it to you.) So Allah sent down this Ayah... .
Another Reason behind revealing the Ayah 8:1
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Umamah said that `Ubadah bin As-Samit said, "We went with the Messenger of Allah to the battle of Badr. When the two armies met, Allah defeated the enemy and some of us pursued them inflicting utter defeat and casualties. Another group of us came to the battlefield collecting the spoils of war. Another group surrounded the Messenger of Allah , so that the enemy could not attack him suddenly. When it was night and the various army groups went back to our camp, some of those who collected the spoils said, `We collected it, so none else will have a share in it.' Those who went in pursuit of the enemy said, `No, you have no more right to it than us. We kept the enemy away from the war spoils and defeated them.' Those who surrounded the Messenger of Allah to protect him said, `You have no more right to it than us, we surrounded the Messenger of Allah for fear that the enemy might conduct a surprise attack against him, so we were busy.'Another ayeh specifies the division of spoils, with Moe taking 20% off the top.
The next mention of spoils is in Surah Al-Fath: "The Victory ".
8:41. And know that whatever of war-booty that you may gain, verily one-fifth (1/5th) of it is assigned to Allâh, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives [of the Messenger (Muhammad )], (and also) the orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor) and the wayfarer, if you have believed in Allâh and in that which We sent down to Our slave (Muhammad ) on the Day of criterion (between right and wrong), the Day when the two forces met (the battle of Badr) - And Allâh is Able to do all things.
48:15. Those who lagged behind will say, when you set forth to take the spoils, "Allow us to follow you," They want to change Allâh's Words. Say: "You shall not follow us; thus Allâh has said beforehand." Then they will say: "Nay, you envy us." Nay, but they understand not except a little.
48:16. Say (O Muhammad ) to the bedouins who lagged behind: "You shall be called to fight against a people given to great warfare, then you shall fight them, or they shall surrender. Then if you obey, Allâh will give you a fair reward, but if you turn away as you did turn away before, He will punish you with a painful torment."
Allah was talking about hypocrites who refused to join the Jihad, how they will seek a share in the spoils. Once again we turn to Ibn Kathir's Tafsir.
Acceptable Reasons for not joining Jihad
If you go to war, you will be rewarded with spoils and admission to Paradise; if you refuse, you will be condemned to Hell. Islam is a 'religion' of war, not peace.(And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will admit him to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; and whosoever turns back,) from joining the Jihad and busies himself in his livelihood, (He will punish him with a painful torment.) in this life with humiliation and in the Hereafter with the Fire. Allah the Exalted has the best knowledge.
48:19. And abundant spoils that they will capture. And Allâh is Ever All-Mighty, All-Wise.If Islam is so blessed peaceful, why does it engage in so much warfare? Why has Allah promised abundant spoils to be captured, except as an incentive for war?
48:20. Allâh has promised you abundant spoils that you will capture, and He has hastened for you this, and He has restrained the hands of men from you, that it may be a sign for the believers, and that He may guide you to a Straight Path.
48:21. And other (victories and much booty there are, He promises you) which are not yet within your power, indeed Allâh compasses them, And Allâh is Ever Able to do all things.
The tafsir is rather long, and not essential to comprehending the obvious, follow the link if you will. The Prohibition of Obeying the Disbelievers; the Cause of Defeat at Uhud
3:152. And Allâh did indeed fulfil His Promise to you when you were killing them (your enemy) with His Permission; until (the moment) you lost your courage and fell to disputing about the order, and disobeyed after He showed you (of the booty) which you love. Among you are some that desire this world and some that desire the Hereafter. Then He made you flee from them (your enemy), that He might test you. But surely, He forgave you, and Allâh is Most Gracious to the believers. [Emphasis added.]
Is taking booty legally the proper role of a Prophet? Is making war one of the duties of a Prophet?
3:161. It is not for any Prophet to take illegally a part of booty (Ghulul), and whosoever deceives his companions as regards the booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he took (illegally). Then every person shall be paid in full what he has earned, - and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.
Embezzling spoils condemns the embezzler to eternity in Hell. This informs us of the centrality of the role of spoils of war in Islam! It is all about the loot; Islam's mission is mercenary.
3:162. Is then one who follows (seeks) the good Pleasure of Allâh (by not taking illegally a part of the booty) like the one who draws on himself the Wrath of Allâh (by taking a part of the booty illegally - Ghulul)? - his abode is Hell, - and worst, indeed is that destination!
This ayeh lets the cat out of the bag, revealing Moe's motivation: "You desire the good of this world". A Prophet should not hold prisoners for ransom until he has committed genocide.
4:73. But if a bounty (victory and booty) comes to you from Allâh, he would surely say - as if there had never been ties of affection between you and him - "Oh! I wish I had been with them; then I would have achieved a great success ( a good share of booty)."
8:67. It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world (i.e. the money of ransom for freeing the captives), but Allâh desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
The vocabulary of Islam is revelatory in its self. Fai is booty collected without a fight, through intimidation alone; entirely allocated to Moe. Ghanimah is booty taken in battle, from which Moe took the top 20%. A truely passive religion would not have such a rich vocabulary.
8:68. Were it not a previous ordainment from Allâh, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took.
8:69. So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and be afraid of Allâh. Certainly, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
9:41. March forth, whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allâh. This is better for you, if you but knew.
9:42. Had it been a near gain (booty in front of them) and an easy journey, they would have followed you, but the distance (Tabuk expedition) was long for them, and they would swear by Allâh, "If we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you." They destroy their ownselves, and Allâh knows that they are liars.
59:6. And what Allâh gave as booty (Fai') to His Messenger (Muhammad ) from them, for which you made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry. But Allâh gives power to His Messengers over whomsoever He wills. And Allâh is Able to do all things.
59:7. What Allâh gave as booty (Fai') to His Messenger (Muhammad ) from the people of the townships, - it is for Allâh, His Messenger (Muhammad ), the kindred (of Messenger Muhammad ), the orphans, AlMasâkin (the poor), and the wayfarer, in order that it may not become a fortune used by the rich among you. And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.
8:67 & 47:4 establish genocide as a sacrament and reveal Moe's motivation: financial gain. In 8:67 we learn that Allah prefers genocide. Islam: 'religion' of pieces, not peace.
59:8. (And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking Bounties from Allâh and to please Him. And helping Allâh (i.e. helping His religion) and His Messenger (Muhammad ). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say);-
59:9. And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banî An-Nadîr), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful.
47:4. So, when you meet (in fight Jihâd in Allâh's Cause), those who disbelieve smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islâm), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allâh to continue in carrying out Jihâd against the disbelievers till they embrace Islâm (i.e. are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire) or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allâh's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allâh, He will never let their deeds be lost,
The mercenary nature of Islam is confirmed in Moe's Sunnah. Sahih Bukhari's book of Khumus details the division of spoils. It begins here:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/053.sbt.html#004.053.324 But there are a few hadith which make matters extremely clear.
Sahih Muslim Book 019, Number 4327:Humility? Yeah, right. That is situational scripture. Moe, billing himself as Allah's final Prophet, set himself up in a position to have Allah grant special dispensation for every evil act he desired to commit. Allah said that Moe could take spoils & ransom, conditioned on making a great slaughter first; and take 20% off the top; he said it with Moe's own tongue.
The spoils of war were not made lawful for any people before us, This is because Allah saw our weakness and humility and made them lawful for us.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331: [...] The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me. [...]
8:69. So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and be afraid of Allâh. Certainly, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Bukhari Ch 61 # 2756: ...It is mentioned from Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, "My provision has been placed under the shadow of my spear, and abasement and humility have been placed on the one who disobeys my command.Moe said that he made his living by his spear and that anyone who would disobey his command would be abased and humiliated. He was arrogant and violent, not humble.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220 [...] while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand. [...]
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 267:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Khosrau will be ruined, and there will be no Khosrau after him, and Caesar will surely be ruined and there will be no Caesar after him, and you will spend their treasures in Allah's Cause." He called, "War is deceit'.
Bukhari Volume 3, Book 37, Number 495: [...] When Allah made the Prophet wealthy through conquests, [...]
Sahih Muslim Book 019, Number 4294: [...] Make a holy war, do not embezzle the spoils; [...]What keeps a war from being holy? Embezzling the spoils. That says it all! A summary follows in the form of an outline.
- The spoils belong to Allah and Moe.
- Allah & Moe get the top 20%.
- Allah granted special dispensation to take spoils.
- Allah promised abundant spoils.
- Embezzling the spoils:
- condemns the embezzler to Hell
- makes war unholy.
- Allah gave Moe the keys to the treasures of the world.
- Allah made Moe wealthy through conquests.
- Moe got his income by his spear.
- Moe wanted the spoils & ransom; Allah wants genocide.
- Rome & Persia will be defeated and their treasures spent in Jihad.
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