Umm Al Hakam or Duba’ah daughters of Al Zibair bin ‘Abd Al Muttalib said “Some captives of war were brought to the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ). I and my sister Fatimah, daughter of Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) went (to the Prophet) and complained to him about our existing condition. We asked him to order (to give) us some captives. The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) said “the orphans of the people who were killed in the battle of Badr came before you (and they asked for the captives). But I tell you something better than that. You should utter “Allaah is Most Great” after each prayer thirty three times, “Glory be to Allaah” thirty three times, “Praise be to Allaah” thirty three times and “there is no god but Allaah alone, He has no associate, the Kingdom belongs to Him and praise is due to Him and He has power over all things.” The narrator ‘Ayyash said “They were daughters of Uncle of the Prophet (ﷺ).”
Tribute, Spoils, and Rulership (Kitab Al-Kharaj, Wal-Fai' Wal-Imarah)
Sunan Abi Dawud 2987 - Commentary by Classical Scholars
Contextual Analysis
This narration from Umm Al-Hakam and Duba'ah, daughters of Al-Zubair bin Abd al-Muttalib (the Prophet's paternal uncle), reveals profound wisdom regarding war spoils distribution. The women approached the Prophet seeking captives from war booty, but he directed them toward spiritual wealth instead.
The Prophet's response demonstrates that the distribution of material spoils follows strict divine guidelines, prioritizing orphans of martyrs over even his own family members. This establishes the principle that public treasury funds cannot be diverted based on personal relationships.
Spiritual Compensation
The Prophet offered them the Tasbih (glorification of Allah) after each prayer: 33x "Subhanallah" (Glory to Allah), 33x "Alhamdulillah" (Praise to Allah), 33x "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Greatest), completing with the comprehensive declaration of Allah's unity and sovereignty.
Scholars note this substitution teaches that spiritual rewards often surpass material benefits. The consistent remembrance of Allah after prayers cultivates continuous connection with the Divine, bringing blessings that transcend temporary worldly gains.
Governance Principles
This hadith establishes critical principles of Islamic governance: impartial distribution of public resources, priority to those most deserving (orphans of martyrs), and the leader's responsibility to resist nepotism even when dealing with close relatives.
The Prophet's gentle redirection from material requests to spiritual pursuits demonstrates ideal leadership - addressing needs while elevating aspirations beyond immediate worldly concerns.