Khums: Can You Give Khums to Support Your Dependent Parents?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Khums: Can You Give Khums to Support Your Dependent Parents?

English:

Question #1017:

I am 25 years old, employed and single. I live with my parents. My father is too old to work. For the last four years I have been fully responsible for their living needs. I cannot pay khums while providing my parents with the maintenance. I owe 19,000 tumans for khums of previous years which I have to pay in the future. The question is whether I can give my close family members like my parents khums paid on my annual profit?

Answer #1017:

If your parents do not have enough economic power to meet their needs and you are able to accommodate their expenditure, it is obligatory for you to help them and the money you provide them for this purpose is considered as part of your own annual expenses. But you are not allowed, as per shar‘, to count it as your khums which is obligatory for you as well.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Khums