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KHUMS - ONE OF THE BRANCHES OF ISLAM
(DIN)
Islam is a
complete code of life
encompassing every aspect of
human life. Prayer is the link
between man and his Creator
while Alms-Tax is the link with
His Creation. Charity is not
restricted to giving money only
but charity of knowledge is
teaching the ignorant. Man is a
transitory owner of any kind of
wealth as long as he lives, but
the real owner of all resources
is Allah, as mentioned in Surah
al-Baqarah Ayah 284: “Whatever
is in the heavens and the earth
belongs to Allah.” Khums
is one of the branches of Islam.
In an Islamic state, every
Muslim is a brother of other
Muslim. Hence, a Muslim is
persuaded and encouraged to give
charity and alms for the
collective welfare of the
people. Zakat is prohibited to
AhlulBayt, hence, Allah in His
Infinite Wisdom has prescribed
Khums for them. Following Ayahs
show Allah's persuasions for
charity and benevolence:
Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 3: “The pious are those who spend (in charity) from
whatever We have given to them.”
Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 219: “They ask you (O' Muhammad) as to what they
should spend (in way of
charity). Say, whatever can be
spared (from your wealth after
your own expenses.)”
Surah Ale Imran Ayah 134: “The pious people (are) those who spend
benevolently in good and bad
days.”
The aim of
Islam is to eliminate the needs
of human beings. Hence, on collective basis, the Muslim society imposes Khums as a tax. During
the time when the Commander of
the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) was
the Caliph, he was passing by,
an old man who was begging on
the side of the road. He asked
“What is this? ” The people
replied” He is a Christian.” The
Imam said: “You have used him
until he became old and unable
to work. Provide for him from
Public Treasury” Hence, economic
security was extended to every
subject irrespective of his
religious belief. Imam Ali (a.s.)'s top priority was to establish social justice in the
Muslim community. His
humanitarian approach generated
opposition in the elite who
enjoyed special privileges.
In Arabic
language “Khamsa” means “Five”.
Hence, Khums literally means
“One-fifth” or 20% of certain
items which should be paid as
Islamic Tax. The taxable items
are; profit or surplus of the
income, the legitimate wealth
which is mixed with illegitimate
wealth, mines or minerals,
precious stones obtained from
sea by diving, treasures, and
other two which are not
applicable now.
Khums is one of those things which were introduced by Hazrat Abdul
Muttalib, the grandfather of the
Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.).
Acting upon the command of Allah
in a dream, he rediscovered the
treasure found in the well of
ZamZam. He gave away one-fifth
(literally Khums) of the
treasure in the way of Allah.
Then it became the custom in his
family. After the Migration (Hijrah),
the same system was incorporated
in Islam.
Khums is
obligatory (Wa'ajib) as soon as
the profit or surplus is known.
A date may be fixed for the new
year and each year the Khums may
be calculated and paid.
Reasonable expenses, according
to one's social status,
profession etc., may be deducted
from the income. A faithful is
aware that Allah knows the
secrets of his heart, hence no
one other than Allah knows what
is reasonable!
According to the Ayah of the Glorious Qur'an, the recipients of Khums are:
Allah, the Messenger of Allah,
the near relatives of the
Messenger of Allah, the orphans,
the needy, and the stranded
travelers.
Khums has two parts; Sahm-e-Imam and Sahm-e-Sadaat.
Because the
share of Allah and His Messenger
during the “Great
Occultation” which is
Sahm-e-Imam is now given to the
Mujtahid or Marj'a who spends it
for the general up liftmen of
Muslims and spread of Islam
throughout the world.
The Sahm-e-Sada'at may either be given directly to the poor, needy, and
pious deserving Hashimites -
direct descendants of the Lady
of Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra
(s.a.) or to the Marj'a separate
from Sehm-e-Imam.
All prayers of a Muslim should be performed with the intention of Pleasure
of Allah, hence Khums and
Zaka'at should not be considered
as charity but a moral
obligation and top priority
should be given to the
“Acceptance of our deeds” by
Allah. Intentions are only
perceived by Allah, hence we
should be sincere in all our
Ibada'ah and devotedly pray to
Him for their acceptance.
Sources used:
Philosophy of
Islamic Laws by Ayatullah Nasir
Makaram Shirazi
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