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Rikaz (buried treasure of the pre-Islamic period): what is owed on it (one fifth), its kinds, where it is found, to whom it belongs, and how the fifth is spent

الركاز

Rikaz in the lexicon is what is fixed and hidden in the ground; for the majority it is the treasure buried by people of the pre-Islamic period, and it may name any property, though the Shafi'is restrict it to gold and silver. 1 2 For the majority a mine is not rikaz, while the Hanafis use the word for both mines and hoards. 2 One fifth is due on rikaz by agreement, following the saying that there is a fifth on buried treasure; it is due on little and much according to the majority, and the Shafi'is require a nisab. 3 4 Anyone who finds it, Muslim, dhimmi, child or madman, owes the fifth according to the schools. 4 5 If it is found on unowned ground, the finder takes the rest after the fifth; if it is on owned ground, most jurists give it to the owner, while Abu Yusuf and Ahmad give it to the finder. 5 6 7 The fifth is spent like the booty in the Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali views, and like zakat in the Shafi'i view. 8 In the abode of war the schools differ on the rule. 7

Depth

At a glance

Era
The Prophetic Era
Region
Global / Diaspora
Review
Draft Completeness 2/5 · Help complete it

Trade and financeHalal and haram

Summary

Rikaz in the lexicon is what is fixed and hidden in the ground; for the majority it is the treasure buried by people of the pre-Islamic period, and it may name any property, though the Shafi'is restrict it to gold and silver. 1 2 For the majority a mine is not rikaz, while the Hanafis use the word for both mines and hoards. 2 One fifth is due on rikaz by agreement, following the saying that there is a fifth on buried treasure; it is due on little and much according to the majority, and the Shafi'is require a nisab. 3 4 Anyone who finds it, Muslim, dhimmi, child or madman, owes the fifth according to the schools. 4 5 If it is found on unowned ground, the finder takes the rest after the fifth; if it is on owned ground, most jurists give it to the owner, while Abu Yusuf and Ahmad give it to the finder. 5 6 7 The fifth is spent like the booty in the Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali views, and like zakat in the Shafi'i view. 8 In the abode of war the schools differ on the rule. 7

People and things also explored

Riba in the rulings: the forbidden excess in exchange and in delay, its kinds, its causes and its rulings· Profit (ribh): lawful and unlawful gain, profit from another's property, profit-sharing in partnership and investment, and zakat on trade profit· Rishwa (bribery): its definition, its ruling for giver and taker, the paying to avert harm, and its effects on judges and rulings· Al-Madina Souq, Aleppo· Bazaar of Tabriz· Khan el-Khalili· Al-Hamidiyah Souq· Souq Waqif

Sources

  1. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8944
  2. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8945
  3. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8949
  4. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8950
  5. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8951
  6. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8952
  7. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8953
  8. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8954
Cite this page

islam.museum contributors. “Rikaz (buried treasure of the pre-Islamic period): what is owed on it (one fifth), its kinds, where it is found, to whom it belongs, and how the fifth is spent”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/concept/rikaz-fiqh/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-23.

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Riba in the rulings: the forbidden excess in exchange and in delay, its kinds, its causes and its rulings

Riba is excess in the lexical sense; in the jurists' usage it is an excess on one of two counter-values in an exchange, or an excess on a debt in return for delay, and the schools define it differently. It is forbidden by the Qur'an, the Sunna and consensus, is a major sin, and is counted among the seven destructive sins. The Hanafis, Malikis and Hanbalis divide riba of sale into excess and delay, and the Shafi'is into three kinds. The six items named in the hadith are gold, silver, wheat, barley, dates and salt; most jurists extend the rule to other items sharing its cause, and the schools differ on that cause. Related questions include 'inah, muhaqala and muzabana, the mud 'ajwa case, and riba in the abode of war, where the jurists differ.