Khums

This entry explores the complex notion of “khums” in Islamic jurisprudence, which involves distributing one-fifth (20%) of the spoils and other obtained money for designated public expenditures. In the development of Islamic law, this practice has deep historical roots. This work offers a thorough examination of the interpretation and implementation of khums in the Sunni and Shi’a traditions, providing insights into both historical accounts and contemporary perspectives. Within Sunni fiqh, the khums concept primarily involves the spoils of war. Current discourse explores the permissibility of using khums for purposes beyond those stated in Quranic verse 41 of Surah al-Anfal. On the other hand, the Imamiyya (Twelver Shia) school of thought presents a more expansive view of khums, encompassing various categories of wealth. The topics explored within this entry encompass surplus annual income, mines, lost property, goods obtained from the sea, land ownership by non-Muslims, and the mixing of halal and haram wealth. Also discussed is the distribution of khums in adherence to a Quranic passage, which entails allocations to Allah, the Prophet, the Prophet’s relatives, orphans, the impoverished, and stranded individuals. In general, this entry provides a thorough and comparative examination of khums, illuminating its historical development and current interpretations within the Sunni and Shia Islamic legal traditions.