How many shares should the Khums be divided into?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Deposits
Primary text
The Khums must be divided into five shares. This opinion is held by 'Ata', Mujahid, Ash-Sha'bi, An-Nakha'i, Qatadah, Ibn Jurayh, and Ash-Shafi'i. The primary evidence is the direct reading of the verse: "And know that whatever you take of anything, then indeed for Allah is one-fifth of it, and for the Messenger, and for the near relatives, and for the orphans, and for the needy, and for the wayfarer" (Quran 8:41), which enumerates six categories if 'Allah's share' is taken as a sixth distinct share, though it is argued that Allah's share is ultimately returned to the needy among His servants.
Supporting text
A dissenting view suggests the division is into six shares based on the explicit enumeration in the verse, counting a separate share for Allah. Another view, attributed to Abu al-'Aliyah, posits that Allah's share is taken by striking the hand onto the separated Khums, and whatever is grasped is given to the Ka'bah, with the remainder of that portion being divided among five shares. Furthermore, some scholars, including the companions of Abu Hanifah, hold that the Khums is divided into three shares: for the orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer, thereby omitting the share of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) due to his passing, and the share of his relatives.