At-Taubah 9:60

The issue

The verse states that part of the donations (alms) should go “to attract the hearts of

those who have been inclined (towards Islâm)” (al-Hilali trans.) or “and those whose

hearts are reconciled” or “those whose hearts are made to incline” (Shakir trans.). So

who were those whose hearts have been reconciled?

After the victory of Muhammad’s army over Thaqif in the Battle of Hunayn, the

fighters seized large amounts of plunder and took captive thousands of women and

children. When the amount of seized spoils was great, Muhammad decided to give part

of it to some leaders of the Arab tribes, especially to the Quraysh leaders, in order to

ensure their loyalty to him.

Muhammad gave one hundred camels each to Abū Sufyān Ibn Harb, his son

Mu‘āwīya, and Safwān Ibn Umaīya, his worst enemy in Mecca, even though he had

not yet confessed faith in Islām. In addition to these three men, he also gave plunder to

Hakīm Ibn Hizām, al-Hārith Ibn al-Hārith Ibn Kalada , al-Aqra‘ Ibn Hābis , ‘Uyayna

Ibn Hisn and al-‘Abbās Ibn Mirdās. Those whose hearts became more attracted to

Islām were almost forty people.

Question: Is it possible for a heavenly book to legitimize the bribing of the tribal Leaders?.