Khums, literally one-fifth. One-fifth of the spoils of war is earmarked for the struggle to exalt the Word of God and to help the orphans, the needy, the wayfarer and the Prophet's kinsmen. Since the Prophet (S.A.W.) devoted all his time to the cause of Islam, he was not in a position to earn his own living. Hence a part of khums was allocated for the maintenance of the Prophet (S.A.W.) as well as for his family and the relatives dependent upon him for financial support. See Al-Qur'an, Al-Anfaal (8:41).