The meaning of Ghulul
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Allah (SWA) has said in the Holy Quran, “It is not for any Prophet to illegally take a part of the booty.” (Surah Al Imran v.161)
Saaiduna Ibn Abbas, Imam Mujahid and Al Hasan said that the verse means, “It is not for a Prophet to breach the trust.”
Ibn Jabir (RA) narrates from Saaiduna Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhu that this verse was revealed in connection with a red robe that was missing from the spoils of the war of Badr. Some people said that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam might have taken it, upon which the verse was revealed. Ghulul means the breaching of trust (khiyanah).
Imam Ahmad (RA) narrates from Saaiduna Abu Malik Al-Ashjai Radiallahu Anhu that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said “The worst ghulul with Allah (SWA) is a yard of land, that is, when you find two neighbours in a land or home and one of them illegally acquires a yard of his neighbours land. When he does this, he will be tied with it from the seven earths until the Day of Judgement. (Tafsir Ibn Katheer p.457 v.1)
Saaiduna Abdullah Ibn Amr Radiallahu Anhu narrates that there was a man who looked after the family and the belongings of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam. This man was called Karkara. The man dies and the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said “He is in the Fire.” The people went to look at him and found in his place a cloak he had stolen from the war booty. (Sahih Bukhari p.432 v.1)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
