Question:We have a fund in which we collect money to distribute during Muharram as a reward for Imam Hussain (peace be upon him). If the khums year ends in Muharram, is it obligatory to pay khums on this money, or not since it is for Imam Hussain (peace be upon him)?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if the money is from you and you placed it in the box in fulfillment of a vow, then khums is not due on it. But if the money belongs to others, you are merely a trustee over it, so it is not permissible for you to pay khums on their behalf, nor are you responsible for the obligations of the donors. However, if the money is from you as a voluntary donation without a vow, then it remains your property and you must pay khums on it. Allah knows best.

Question:A person received a plot of land as a grant from the government, which was registered in his name years ago. Two weeks ago, he sold it for twenty thousand dollars. Is he required to pay khums on the amount immediately or after one year from receiving the payment for the land?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if he already had a khums year, he was required to pay khums on the land based on its value at the time he acquired it — and it appears from your statement that he did not. Therefore, if he currently has a khums year, he must pay the khums when the end of that khums year arrives. But if he does not have a fixed khums year, then he must pay khums on the entire amount immediately. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it obligatory to pay khums on profits that increase and decrease during the year, or should it be calculated based on the increase in the following year? Some say that khums is not due until the next khums year. For example, we are now in the year 1442, and the profits rise and fall. If the profits increase, should I pay khums now, or since they might later decrease, should I wait until the next year (1443) when the profits increase again? Or should I pay khums during this year (1442) without waiting for the next year (1443)? Or should I pay in the new year (1443) and make it a new khums year if the profits increase then?

Answer:In the name of Allah, as we mentioned in the previous answer, it is obligatory to pay khums on every financial gain immediately upon acquiring it. However, the sacred law has permitted delaying it, but not for more than one year. Therefore, adhere to one of the two options: either set a fixed khums year and at its end calculate what remains in your possession and pay khums on it, or pay khums on each financial gain as it is obtained. Allah is the Guide and All-Knowing.

Question:Is it obligatory to pay on profits during the year, or after a full year if the amount exceeds one’s necessary expenses? Should it be paid immediately during the year since it exceeds the expenses, or can it be delayed until the next year?

Answer:In the name of Allah, know, my son, that any new wealth a person acquires becomes subject to khums. However, the sacred law has permitted delaying its payment until the end of the year out of mercy for the servant, as he might face a need during the year. If he were to pay the khums immediately, he might later be forced to borrow money to meet his needs. Therefore, it is permissible to pay khums right away or to delay it until the end of the khums year. Allah knows best.

Question:I bought a house that requires renovations, and I intend to live in it after the renovations are completed. I also wish to give my old house to one of my sons to live in, noting that he is married, does not own a house, and cannot afford to buy one. Currently, my son and I are both living in the old house, and my khums year is approaching. Should the new house under renovation be subject to khums?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if the new house was purchased with money that has not been subjected to khums, then khums must be paid on it when the khums year arrives, as long as you are not residing in it. Allah, the All-Knowing, knows best.

Question:Is khums obligatory on the monthly stipend that a seminary student receives from the Grand Marajiʿ (Religious Authorities)?

Answer:In the name of Allah, as for what we provide to students of knowledge, it is given to them as ownership. Whatever they collect from the monthly stipend, being considered their owned property, is subject to khums once the other conditions are fulfilled. Allah, the All-Knowing, knows best.

Question:What is the ruling on lending Khums funds?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible without the permission of the religious authority. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it obligatory for the guardian of a child to pay Khums on what remains from the child's gifts, rewards, and allowances?

Answer:In the name of Allah, as long as the child is not yet of age, Khums is not obligatory on them, no matter how much their wealth increases. Allah knows best.

Question:Is Khums applicable to gifts and donations received from parents, relatives, or friends on occasions such as marriage and others?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if the gift is used before the end of your Khums year, then there is no Khums on it. However, if it remains unused or any part of it remains, then Khums must be paid on it at the end of your Khums year. Allah knows best.

Question:Is Khums obligatory on inheritance?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if the deceased was committed to paying Khums, then there is no Khums on the inherited wealth. However, if the deceased was not committed to Khums, then Khums must be paid on the inherited amount. Allah knows best.