Responsibility for Lost Khums During Transfer

Question

Is one responsible for khums if it is lost or stolen while being delivered to an agent?

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):

Khums does not become obligatory merely by the owner's separation from it. This means that if the owner separates it and transfers it to another country due to the absence of the rightful recipient in his country, and it is lost without negligence, he is not exempt from khums on the remaining amount. However, if he has received it on behalf of the rightful recipient or the legal authority, it becomes obligatory on what he has received. If he then transfers it with the permission of his principal and it is lost without negligence, he is not responsible. Therefore, if you have received it and transferred it with the agent's or the poor person's permission and did not neglect its preservation, you are not liable; otherwise, you must bear the responsibility.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - The Rights of Khums and Its Distribution - Article 1268

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Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):

Unless the transfer is with the permission of the guardian of khums or his agent, the obligation remains, and he must be responsible for khums even in the absence of negligence.

Source: Official Persian Website - Rulings on Khums - Miscellaneous Issues - Article 313

May you be successful in all good.