Why Must Khums Be Paid Exclusively to the Jurist or His Representative?

Religious funds are nothing but a sacred trust (amanah), regardless of whose hand they are in—be it the mukallaf, the Marja, or his representative. It is obligatory to safeguard them and exercise precaution by spending them according to the legitimate religious avenues that please Allah Almighty and please His Proof, the Awaited Imam (p). Given that the just jurist is his religious deputy and the holder of general guardianship (al-wilayah al-‘ammah) over the believers, and given that he has a comprehensive view of the avenues of expenditure and need, and acts as a cautious trustee whose piety prevents him from erring, he is the primary authorized person for this critical task, which could otherwise cause even prominent individuals to stumble, as occurred to some of the companions of certain infallible Imams (p).

Therefore, out of concern for observing the priorities of expenditure, preventing any cause for waste, and exercising precaution against placing religious dues in improper uses—whether due to the mukallaf’s limited knowledge and awareness of public spending aspects, or out of fear that the process of distribution might be influenced by personal feelings, emotions, love, or animosity, which most people find difficult to detach themselves from. All of this, among other reasons, has become a powerful cause for the jurists to exercise precaution, leading them to issue verdicts on the obligation of delivering the religious dues directly to the religious authority (al-marja al-dini), or at the very least, obtaining explicit permission from him to spend them on what is required.