Home > Surah 8 - The Spoils of War
This is one of the most famous examples of abrogation (Naskh) occurring within the same Surah.
The Initial Command
Surah 8:1:
They ask you, about the bounties. Say, "The bounties belong to Allah and the Messenger."
The Revised Command
Surah 8:41:
And know that anything you obtain of war booty - then indeed, for Allah is one fifth of it and for the Messenger and for near relatives and the orphans, the needy, and the traveler...
After the Battle of Badr, the soldiers began arguing over who should get the loot. Muhammad initially claimed it all for himself and God (8:1).
When this caused friction among the fighters, a "new" revelation (8:41) appeared, allowing the soldiers to keep 80% of the spoils while Muhammad took only a 20% cut (the Khums).
This is not eternal law, but a pragmatic political compromise to prevent a mutiny over stolen goods.