It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The spoils of war were not lawful for any black-headed people before you. A fire would come down from the sky and burn them to ashes. Then on the day of the Battle of Badr, the people hastened to the spoils, and the verse of the Noble Qur'an was revealed: Were it not for a decree from Allah that had already gone forth, a great punishment would have touched you for what you took. So eat of what you have taken as spoils, lawful and good. [Al-Anfal: 68-69] "