Khums: Khums on Unused Personal Library — Does Ownership or Usage Matter?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Khums: Khums on Unused Personal Library — Does Ownership or Usage Matter?

English:

Question #895:

Someone has a personal library whose books he used for a while. For several years he has not used them, but it is likely that he may use them in the future. Does khums apply to the library in the period that he does not use the books? Is there a difference in respect of liability to khums whether the original purchaser of the books was he himself or his father?

Answer #895:

If at the time of purchase he was in need of them for reading and reference, and their quantity was suitable for a person like him in the common view, then khums does not apply to the books even if he does not use them after the first year. Also they are not liable for khums if they were inherited or received as gift from parents or others.

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