Hadith #428

Arabic Text

English Translation

Abu Mu'awiyah narrated from al-Hajjaj, from 'Ata', from Ibn 'Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) who said: Najdah al-Haruri wrote to Ibn 'Abbas asking about the killing of children, about the khums (fifth of war spoils) and to whom it belongs, about when orphanhood ceases for a child, about whether women used to go out with the Prophet ﷺ or attend battle, and about whether a slave has a share in the war spoils. Ibn 'Abbas wrote back to him: 'As for children, if you are al-Khidr who can distinguish the disbeliever from the believer, then kill them. As for the khums, we used to say it belongs to us, but our people claimed it does not. As for women, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to take women out with him to tend the sick and care for the wounded, but they did not participate in combat. As for the child, orphanhood ceases when he reaches puberty. As for the slave, he does not have a share in the war spoils, but they used to be given small gifts.'