Allah was so pleased when the people swore allegiance to Mohammed, (Surah 48:18: "Allah was well pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance unto thee beneath the tree") that he promised them much booty in verse 20: "Allah has promised you much booty which you will capture" (Pickthall, 1997:371).

Historically, it was a common practice (customary) for conquering armies and soldiers to take the conquered soldiers' and nations' possessions as booty. This also occurred in biblical times when God's nation did the same when they conquered, but also lost their property when they lost battles. Muslims are, however, of the opinion that it used to be illegal to take booty, (and that it still is for others) but that Allah made it lawful for them. This is what Mohammed taught about this according to the Hadith:

Al-Hadis (Karim, 1998:23:142(Vol.2):407): “the Messenger of Allah said: Booty was not lawful for anybody previous to us. That was because Allah saw our weakness and helplessness, and so He made it lawful to us.”

Al-Hadis (Karim, 1998:23:157(Vol.1):415): “the Prophet said: Allah gave my people superiority over all the nations, and He made the booties lawful for us.”

This is again a clear encouragement for Muslims to Jihad. How just is a God who alters his laws for different people and for different circumstances? Unlike Allah, who can change his laws at will and has different standards for different people, the law of love of the God of the Bible is unchangeable, and He is righteous and treats all people the same.

Ephesians 6:9: “...knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him” (NKJ), or He “has no favorites” (Living Bible)

Allah, however, has a different set of laws for Muslims, and especially for those who fight for his cause. It seems as if even Mohammed had the right to change laws. According to Al-Bukhari (Khan, 1987(Vol.9):343):

“Something forbidden by the Prophet is legally prohibited unless there is proof that (later on) it was (made) legal.”

The distribution of booty was done according to Mohammed’s instruction. One-fifth had to go to Allah and his messenger (Mohammed) and the rest was for the fighter.

Surah 8:41: "And know that out of all the booty that you may acquire (in war), a fifth share is assigned to Allah – and to the Apostle (Mohammed)."

It is unknown (to the author) how this rule was applied after Mohammed's death, because it is presently still a part of the Quran and Mohammed died almost fourteen centuries ago.

Al-Hadis (Karim, 1998:23:150(Vol.2):412): “the Messenger of Allah said: To whichever village you go and settle therein, there is your share therein and ..., its one fifth is for Allah and His Messenger, and the remainder is for you.”

When Islam gains the upper hand in a country, everybody is expected to accept Islam. Those who do not, and are fortunate enough to escape with their lives, are subjected to a special tax, called Jizya, as was already seen in Surah 9:29, quoted in the previous section.

Surah 9:29: “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the last day, ...until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” (Ali, 2000:153)

Jizya is payable to Muslim authorities by non-Muslims, called Zimmis [also spelled Dhimmi(s)]. In his footnote at the word Jizya, in his English translation of the Quran, Ali (1946:447) writes: “the root meaning is compensation. ...was a poll-tax levied from those who did not accept Islam.”

Another benefit accrues to Islam at the cost of non-Muslims who survived and live in subjection to Islam. It is called Fai Property, and is explained as follows
in Al-Hadis (Karim, 1998(Vol.2):429):

“Fai is a property of the unbelievers as accrues to the Muslims without war.”

It is not clear how exactly it is accrued, but the next quotation gives an indication:

Al-Hadis (Karim, 1998:23:200(Vol.2):437): “Ogbal-b-A’mer reported: I asked: O Messenger of Allah, we pass by a people, who do not entertain us, nor do they give us our dues justly, nor do we take anything from them. The Prophet said: If they make it necessary for you to take it by force, do so.”

Will that be the fate of surviving non-Muslims if Islam is successful in its efforts to subdue the world?