Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Imam al-ʿAskarī’s Role in Institutionalizing the Khums

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Mohammad Saeid Nejati
Assistant Professor, Department of History and Sira, Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Center, Qom, Iran
10.22034/jis.2024.351151.1845
Abstract
Drawing upon historical evidence and the hadiths transmitted from Imam al-ʿAskarī, this article analyzes his role in institutionalizing the khums within the Shia community during a period of significant challenges to this obligation. According to the available hadiths, the Imam emphasized the rationale behind the obligation of khums, highlighted its comprehensive scope (including all of one’s income), and underscored its practical importance. He also clarified where khums should be spent by distributing it among Hashemite needy and managed a network of deputies to handle Shiite affairs on his behalf.
Undocumented accusations have emerged regarding the reception of khums from sources other than war spoils, such as business profits. Given the lack of research on this issue concerning each Shiite Imam and the historical analysis of various periods of khums, this article contributes by explaining these developments during the Imamate of Imam al-ʿAskarī. This study, conducted using an analytic, historical, and hadith-based method, addresses a previously unexplored area of scholarship
Keywords
khums
Imam al-ʿAskarī and khums obligation
deputy organization and Imam al-ʿAskarī
khums on incomes
Subjects
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Journal of Imamiyyah Studies
Volume 10, Issue 19 - Serial Number 19
September 2024
Pages 231-254