Reply #53: Is this "raiding" stuff all propaganda then?

[grumpy old fart]

In Medina, Mohammed commissioned his lieutenants to raid passing caravans. Over a ten-year period he planned sixty-five campaigns and raids, and personally led twenty-seven of these himself. One fifth of the booty was to be allocated directly to him. Any of the raiders who died while plundering the caravans, Mohammed said, would automatically enter heaven.

In 623 Mohammed organized a band of 300 armed thieves to waylay a rich caravan bound for Mecca from Syria. A force of 900 men from Mecca hurried to defend the caravan. Mohammed personally led his followers to victory, took many prisoners, and put some of them to death.

http://www.markriebling.com/archives/00000162.html

Doesn't the Koran explicitly authorize Mohammad himself to profit from war?

8:1 They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war. Say: The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger, so keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His messenger, if ye are (true) believers.