Khums and Zakat: Giving What Allah Has Fixed

Two kinds of giving: Islam fixes two obligatory payments on wealth: Khums (خمس), the one-fifth, and Zakat (زکاۃ), the alms on specific kinds of wealth. They are not charity of choice — they are Wajib, they purify your wealth, and they fund the needs of the poor, the orphans, and the religion.

Khums, the one-fifth: Khums is 20% of your net annual savings — what remains after all your living expenses — on your Khums anniversary date. It applies to work earnings, business profit, gifts and inheritance (in the first year), and any windfall income. The Quran says: "Whatever you gain — a fifth belongs to Allah — the Messenger — near relatives — orphans — the poor — and the traveller." (8:41). — to be checked.

Where Khums goes: Khums is divided in half. 50% is Sahm al-Imam, the share of the Imam, paid to the Marja's authorised representative for religious institutions. 50% is Sahm al-Sadat, given to deserving descendants of the Prophet (SAW) in need. Set your annual Khums date, and contact the Marja's authorised Wakil in your country for payment. Wealth from which Khums has not been paid is considered mixed — and that affects prayers performed on property bought with it (Tawdhih, Issue 1797). — to be checked.

Zakat, on nine things: Zakat is Wajib on nine specific categories, when the Nisab (minimum amount) is reached and one full lunar year passes: grains — wheat, barley, dates, raisins (Nisab approx. 847 kg each); gold (Nisab 20 Mithqal, approx. 85 g); silver (Nisab 200 Dirhams, approx. 595 g); and livestock — camels, cows, and sheep, each with its own Nisab levels. The Quran commands: "Establish prayer — give Zakat — and bow with those who bow." (2:43). — to be checked.

A key difference for today: Most city Muslims today do not own farms or herds. For them, the most widespread financial Wajib is Khums, not Zakat: Ayatullah al-Sistani rules that Zakat does not apply to modern bank savings and salary — Khums applies instead (Tawdhih, Issue 1877). — to be checked. Zakat applies mainly to farmers with grains and livestock owners who reach Nisab. Zakat's recipients are the eight categories listed in Quran 9:60, including the poor, the indebted, and those striving in the cause of Allah.

Example

Ahmed earns a salary. Every month he spends on rent, food, and family, and saves a little. On his Khums date — the same day each year — he adds up what he has saved over the year, subtracts what he still owes, and pays 20% of the rest as Khums. His bank savings are not Zakat — they are Khums. One date, one calculation, and his wealth is pure for another year.

Key Terms

• Khums (خمس) — the one-fifth; 20% of net annual savings
• Zakat (زکاۃ) — the obligatory alms on nine specific categories of wealth
• Nisab (نصاب) — the minimum amount of wealth at which Zakat becomes due
• Sahm al-Imam (سہم امام) — the Imam's share of Khums, for religious institutions

Quran or Hadith

Quran 8:41 — "Whatever you gain — a fifth belongs to Allah — the Messenger — near relatives — orphans — the poor — and the traveller." — to be checked.

Quran 2:43 — "Establish prayer — give Zakat — and bow with those who bow." — to be checked.

Quran 9:103 — "Take from their wealth a charity — purifying and cleansing them." — to be checked.

Imam al-Sadiq (as): "Our Shia are permitted their earnings — as long as they pay our right. Whoever pays Khums is pure. Whoever does not — consumes Haram." — Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 546. — to be checked.

Fresh diagram to be drawn: A simple split diagram — a coin cut into five parts, one part shaded as Khums, then that part split again into Sahm al-Imam and Sahm al-Sadat; beside it, nine small icons for the nine Zakat categories.