[1] The term ghanimah is derived from the Arabic root that implies gain or profit, and it encompasses various forms of wealth, including material goods, land, and other resources captured during military campaigns.
The classical Islamic legal tradition categorised ghanimah as a form of property that could be legitimately acquired and distributed among the Muslim community, while also laying down rules to ensure that the rights of non-combatants were respected.
[4] For instance, the early caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab made decisions regarding the distribution of ghanimah, allowing for the retention of spoils within local populations, even if they were non-believers, provided they adhered to certain conditions, such as the payment of jizyah (a tax levied on non-Muslims).
The Baitul-Maal, or the house of wealth, was established as a financial institution to manage the funds derived from various sources, including zakat (obligatory almsgiving), sadaqah (voluntary charity), and ghanimah.
This institution played a crucial role in the economic distribution within the Muslim community, ensuring that the wealth acquired through warfare was utilised for the welfare of society.