Is a warrior entitled to a share of the spoils (ghanima) if they fled before the spoils were secured by the remaining fighters?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Jihad

Book 54 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a group of warriors flees before the spoils of war are secured (*ihraz al-ghanima*), and the remaining fighters secure them, the fleeing group receives nothing. Ownership of the spoils is established by those who secured them. This ruling applies even if the fleeing individuals claim they withdrew to join the main body (*tahayyuz ila fi'ah*) or to reposition for the fight (*taharruf lil-qital*); they still forfeit their share for this reason.