8:41
And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire (in war), a fifth share is assigned to Allah, – and to the Messenger, and to near relatives, orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer,- if ye do believe in Allah and in the revelation, We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Testing,-the Day of the meeting of the two forces. For Allah hath power over all things.
Ünal explains that the sūrah begins by emphasizing the principle that the spoils of war ultimately belong to God and His Messenger, thereby preparing believers to accept the distribution determined by divine instruction. The verse specifies that one-fifth of the war gains is to be allocated to public welfare and communal needs, represented by several categories: the Messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the poor, and travelers who lack sufficient means to complete their journey. The remaining portion is distributed among those who participated in the battle. Ünal notes that the share assigned to the Prophet served purposes similar to funds allocated for the public responsibilities of a head of state, as the Prophet devoted his life to conveying the message of Islam and supporting the needs of the community, including assistance for impoverished relatives and other public expenditures (Ünal, 2006).
Ünal further observes that historically the Prophet used the wealth of his first wife, Khadijah, in support of the mission of Islam, while he and his family lived in modest circumstances. The portions of war gains assigned to them were likewise used primarily for community services and charitable purposes (Ünal, 2006).
Emerick also notes that the verse refers particularly to the clans of Banū Hāshim and Banū al-Muṭṭalib, the extended relatives of the Prophet who endured persecution in Mecca due to their association with him. After the migration to Madinah, the Prophet distributed charity to members of these clans to relieve their poverty and acknowledge their endurance during periods of hardship. In addition, a prophetic tradition states that when a Muslim spends on his family while intending to seek God’s reward, such expenditure is counted as an act of charity (Aḥmad, as cited in Emerick, 2011). Another narration reports that when the Prophet’s daughter Fāṭimah requested a servant to assist her with household work, he reminded her that the poor people living in the mosque were in greater need of assistance (al-Bukhārī; Muslim, as cited in Emerick, 2011).
References:
Emerick, Yahiya. The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an in Today’s English (p. 829). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
Unal, Ali (2006). The Quran with Annotated Interpretation in Modern English. (surah 8verse 41)