Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

FA'Y

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddin

The Koran does not mention the word fa'y, which became the technical term in Islamic law, but refers explicitly to the verb afa'a (from the same root as fa'y); vide 33:50 and 59: 6-7. There is indications that in 59: 6-7, referring to the surrender of the Banu Nadir, afa'a denotes booty acquired not by fighting but as a result of the surrender of the enemy. Fa'y literally means that which come back. The word fa'y is applied to the lands in the conquered territories which came under the direct ownership of the Muslim state. Under the Prophet, there were certain crown or state lands, such as the estate of Fadak, etc. Fa'y is not distributed among the fighters but it belongs to God, Prophet and Ahl al-Bayt. When the Umayyad caliph Umar bin Abul Aziz returned the property of Fadak to Imam Muhammad Bakir, the Imam subjected the fa'y to the khums.


Back to top