Question 2334) - What is Fay? What is the difference between it and Ghanimah [booty]?

A: Fay is on the same syntax scale as Shay. The verb is read as fa- a yafiu and means to return. Ghanimah is that which is taken by force from the Kuffar. That which is taken without fighting is Fay. The forms of fay the jurists have mentioned include Jizyah, Khiraj, and what has been acquired from the Kuffar in lieu of peace. Some of these we have covered, we shall discuss the rest inshaAllaah.

~ al-Quduri ~