Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Only Imam is Owner of Khums, and Jurist is Merely a Trustee

On Monday, the 17th of Rabi’ al-Thani, the daily scholarly session led by Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Hosseini al-Shirazi was held in his residence in Qom. As in previous sessions, the Supreme Marja addressed questions from attendees regarding various jurisprudential issues.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi referenced two narrations from the Infallibles (peace be upon them) and stated that jurists are the representatives of the Infallible Imam (peace be upon him), and everything that is obligatory regarding the Infallible Imam is also applicable to a qualified jurist, except in specific cases.

His Eminence continued by explaining that the Infallible Imam (peace be upon him) has full authority over souls, blood, and property, while a qualified jurist only has limited authority and management.

He also emphasized that Khums, which includes the share of the Imam and the Sayyids, must be given to a qualified jurist or permission must be sought from him, unlike Zakat, which individuals can pay themselves.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi reiterated that the sole owner of Khums is the Infallible Imam, and the jurist is merely a trustee.