Anfal (spoils and the other gains taken from the enemy, and their divisions)

Nafl, with a vowel on the first letter, is spoil; its root sense is increase. The question about the anfal is named in the Qur'an in sura al-Anfal. ¹

Five definitions are given: ¹

• The spoils, the view of Ibn Abbas in one report, Mujahid in one report, and al-Dahhak, Qatada, Ikrima and Ata in one report. ¹
• The fay', what reached the Muslims from the property of unbelievers without fighting. ¹
• The fifth. ¹
• The tanfil, what is taken before the spoils are secured within Muslim territory and divided. ¹
• The salab, what is given to a horseman beyond his share to encourage him to fight. ²

Anfal are the properties of the enemy that came to the Muslims by fighting or without it, and so include spoils and fay'. The term also covers what unbelievers gave to avoid fighting, and what is taken without intimidation, such as the poll tax, land tax, tithe and the property of an apostate. ²

Radkh is a grant from the spoils not exceeding one share of the fighters, fixed by the ruler or his deputy, given to those who attended the battle and helped, such as women, children, protected non-Muslims and slaves. ²

The ruling varies with each part of the anfal, such as spoils, fay', salab, radkh and tanfil, and each is treated under its own term. ²