An Evaluation of the Permissibility of Khums Based on the Viewpoint of the Yamani Claimant

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Level Four Graduate, Islamic Seminary of Qom, Iran

Abstract

Khums (one-fifth tax) is one of the established jurisprudential obligations among Shia Muslims. However, certain figures, such as Ahmad al-Basri—the self-proclaimed Yamani claimant—have attempted to cast doubt on this essential tenet of religion. Ahmad al-Basri argues that Khums has been made permissible (mubah) for Shia during the occultation of Imam Mahdi and bases his claim on the Tawqi‘ (signed letter) of Ishaq ibn Ya‘qub. The Yamani sect, by selectively citing portions of narrations, seeks to create disillusionment and alienate the Shia community from jurisprudence. Accordingly, this study adopts a descriptive–analytical method to evaluate the permissibility of Khums from the perspective of the Yamani claimant. The findings show that: (1) the legislation of Khums is firmly established among all Muslims; (2) narrations concerning the permissibility of Khums refer to specific times or circumstances and cannot be generalized, as the Imams granted exemptions only to certain individuals or under specific conditions out of benevolence; and (3) Ahmad al-Basri’s claim that Khums is permissible for all Shia during the occultation lacks any valid evidence or justification.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 February 2024
  • Revise Date: 25 March 2024
  • Accept Date: 16 May 2024

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