'Observe, ye faithful, there are five things most acceptable to God the
Creator, from man, His creature:--
1st. 'A generous gift, made when you have the greatest necessity yourself
for that which you give away.
2nd. 'All gifts that are free-will offerings of the heart, neither
expecting nor desiring your bounty, should be rewarded, either by returns
or acknowledgements.
3rd. 'To be most humble, when in the enjoyment of the greatest prosperity.
4th. 'To promote peace, when the reason for indulging your anger is most
enticing.
5th. 'To forgive freely from the heart, when the power to revenge is
present with you.'
You perceive a system of charitable feeling is inculcated by the laws of
Mahumud; and in every-day practice it is found to be the prominent feature
in their general habits. It is common with the meanest of the people to
offer a share of their food to any one calling upon them at meal-time. I
have seen this amiable trait of character in all classes of the people;
and often on a river voyage, or a land journey, when the servants cook
their dinner under a tree or by the bank of the river, if a dog, which
they consider an unclean animal, advances within their reach, a portion of
their food is thrown to him with that kindliness of feeling which induces
them to share with the hungry, whatever gifts they receive from the Author
of all good.[10] Except in seasons of famine, no one need despair of
having sufficient to support nature, wherever the Mussulmauns congregate.
I speak it to their credit, and in justice to their character.
[1] See p. 67.
[2] Known among Indian Musalmans as _dasaundh_, 'tithes'.
[3] _Sadaqah_, used in the Koran (ii. 265) for almsgiving. In India the
term is applied to the custom by which money, clothes, grain, &c., are
waved over a patient, or only shown to him, and then given away to
beggars; or they are placed near the foot of a tree, on the bank of a
river, or where four roads meet, and are then supposed to carry away
the disease with them.--Jaffur Shurreef, _Qanoon-e-Islam_, p. 252.
[4] _Imam zamini_, 'a gift to the guardian saint'. When about to
go on a journey, or when any misfortune befalls a person, a coin or
metal ring is tied up in a cloth coloured with turmeric, in the name
of the Imam Zamin, and worn on his left arm. When the traveller
reaches his destination, or gets rid of his affliction, it is taken
off, and its value, with some money in addition, is spent in food or
sweetmeats, which are offered in the name of the saint.--Jaffur
Shurreef, p. 182.
[5] _Pak_.
[6] _Imam Zamani, Zamani tum karo_.
[7] _Munshi_, 'a writer, secretary'.
[8] _Shukr Allah_.
[9] _Bi'smi'llah_: the full form is
_bi'smi'llah'r-rahmani'r-rahim_, 'In the name of Allah,
the Compassionate, the Merciful!' These latter titles are omitted when
going into battle, or when slaughtering animals.
[10] The Prophet ordered that when a dog drinks from a vessel, it must be
washed seven times, the first cleansing being with earth. But the dog
of the Seven Sleepers will be admitted into Heaven.--_Koran_,
xviii. 17.