Al-mal

Definition of "Al-mal"

Lit: Wealth. Tech: Something that can be hoarded or secured for use at the time of need. There are three attributes of al-mal: that it must have some value, that it must be a thing the benefit of which is permitted under the Islamic law and that it must be possessed. It is of two kinds in respect of form: al-mal al-batin (hidden) and al-mal al-zahir (apparent). But in respect of ownership it is classified into al-mal al-‘ammah (which has no specific owner) and al-mal al-khassah (which is owned by someone).