A Look at Quranic Verse about Khums

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The economy that Islam favors is one that is mixed with morality and emotion, and a look at the verse about Khums in the Holy Quran reveals important aspects of this issue.  

God says in Verse 41 of Surah Al-Anfal:

“And know that one-fifth of whatever you take as spoils belong to Allah, the Messenger, kinsmen of the Messenger, the orphans, the needy, and the destitute traveler; if you believe in Allah and what We sent down to Our worshiper on the day of victory, the day when the two armies met. Allah has power over all things.”

This verse, according to some Quran interpreters, was revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during the Battle of Banu Qaynuqa (month of Shawwal in the second year after Hijra) while others say it was revealed during the Battle of Uhud (Shawwal of third Hijri year) or Battle of Badr (Ramadan of second Hijri year). God in this verse calls on those who struggle on His path to give one-fifth of what they have gained in the battle.

There are important points in this verse, including the following:

1- There are few other verses in which there is so much emphasis on something.

2- The verse says “If you believe in Allah”, which means that paying Khums is a requirement of having faith.

3- The phrase “And know that one-fifth of whatever you take belongs to Allah…” shows that the rule is permanent not temporary.

4- The phrase “Wa A’alamu” (And know) shows that paying Khums must be a belief and one must take it seriously. It is interesting that taking part in the battle, fighting alongside the Holy Prophet (PBUH), saying prayers, fasting, having faith, and overcoming the enemy’s army are not enough, because God says, “If you have faith, pay Khums”. It means that even if you do all those things, you lack true faith if you do not pay Khums.

It has been narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not sleep on the night before the Battle of Badr and would constantly prayer for the victory of Muslims, saying there is no one like these few people on earth and if they are defeated, there will be no more faithful people. But the Quran addresses these very few people and says if they have faith, they should pay Khums. In other words, even this small group of people about whom the Holy Prophet (PBUH) prays will not be considered believers if they fail to pay Khums.