"Righteousness is not that ye turn your faces [in prayer] to the east
or west; but righteousness is to him who believeth in God and the Last
Day, and Angels, and Revealed Books, and Prophets; who giveth
cheerfully from his substance to kinsmen, orphans, the needy, the
wayfarer, and to them that ask; who freeth the prisoner and the slave;
who offereth prayers at their appointed times, and giveth the ordained
alms; to them who fulfil the covenants to which they have bound
themselves, and who are patient in times of distress, and pain, and
struggle: these are they who are sincere [in religion], and who fear to
do evil (_Koran_ 2, 172)."
This fine passage from the Koran is considered by Moslem commentators
as the most comprehensive statement of the duties of man: "Sound faith,
a good social life, and right culture of the soul" (El-Beidaway).
_Instructions of Ali Ibn-abi Talib, the first Khalif to his son_--"My
son, fear God both secretly and openly; speak the truth, whether you be
calm or angry; be economical, whether you be poor or rich; be just to
friend and foe; be resigned alike in times of adversity and prosperity.
My son, he who sees his own faults has no time to see the faults of
others; he who is satisfied with the allotments of Providence does not
regret the past; he who unsheaths the sword of aggression will be
killed by it; he who digs a pit for his brother will fall into it; he
who forgets his own sin makes much of the sin of another; he who takes
to evil ways will be despised; he who commits excesses will be known to
do them; he who associates with the base will be subject to constant
suspicion; he who remembers death will be content with little in this
world; he who boasts of his sins before men, God will bring him to
shame."