Is it valid for the commander to set specific rewards for contingent actions during battle, such as capturing a fortress or an individual?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Jihad
Primary text
It is permissible for the commander to specify rewards, such as saying, 'Whoever captures this fortress, or demolishes this wall, or brings a prisoner, shall have such and such a reward.' This is the view of the majority of scholars, including Al-Thawri, and Ahmad concurred regarding specific quantities of livestock. If a stated reward is promised, and someone fulfills part of the condition, they receive a proportionate amount. This practice is justified because it serves a purpose and encourages fighting, similar to the entitlement to the share of spoils and the right to *Slab* (the spoils of one's direct kill). This is supported by the narrations of Habib and 'Ubadah, and the stipulation made by 'Umar to Jarir ibn 'Abdullah.
Supporting text
Malik disapproved of this category of *Nafal*, stating that fighting for worldly gain in this manner is inappropriate, and insisted that *Nafal* should only occur after the spoils have been secured and the fighting has ceased. He notably argued that the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not promise the *Slab* until after the fighting had cooled down.