Khums: Is Setting a Khums Year Necessary If No Savings Remain?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Khums: Is Setting a Khums Year Necessary If No Savings Remain?

English:

Question #989:

Is one obliged to specify a date for one’s khums year, although he is certain nothing of his income will exceed his living expenditures at the year’s end? What is the ruling regarding an individual who did not specify a certain date for it because he knew that he would not save anything from his income at the year’s end?

Answer #989:

The beginning of khums year is not determined by the mukallaf himself. In fact it is a real matter. It starts with trading work for traders, the time of harvest for farmers and receiving one’s first salary for workers and employees. Determining the khums year’s end and an account for one’s yearly income is not an independent obligation; rather it is a method for calculating the amount of khums that should be paid. When one knows he is liable to khums, but does not know how much it is, the calculation becomes obligatory. However, if from his income nothing is left at the year’s end and all one’s earnings were spent for one’s annual expenses, he is not liable to khums.

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