Chapter on Distinguishing the People of Khums and Those Entitled to It from Those Whom Allah Mentioned in the Quran

Ali ibn al-Hasan, from Ahmad ibn al-Hasan, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, from Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Ibrahim ibn Abi al-Bilad said to Imam عليه السلام: “Zakat has become obligatory upon you.” Imam عليه السلام said: “No, rather, we give extra and we give in this manner.” And Imam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, was asked about ‘the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, ‘And know that whatever you gain of anything, then indeed, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى is one-fifth of it, and for the Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and for the near relative, and the orphans, and the needy.’ (Surah Al-Anfal 8:41) It was said to Imam عليه السلام: “Then that which belongs to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, to whom does it go?” Imam عليه السلام said: “It is for the Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and whatever belongs to the blessed Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, then it belongs to the Imam عليه السلام.” It was said to Imam عليه السلام: “What is your view if one category is greater in number than another, while another category is fewer in number? How should it be dealt with?” Imam عليه السلام said: “That is left to the Imam عليه السلام. Do you not see how the blessed Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, acted? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would only give according to what He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم deemed appropriate. The Imam عليه السلام is likewise.”