[Sidenote: Zakát]
“_Forget not liberality among you, for God seeth that which ye do._”
“_The Lord is surely in a watch-tower, whence he observeth the actions
of men. Moreover man, when his Lord trieth him by prosperity, and
honoureth him, and is bounteous to him, saith:—My Lord honoureth me;
but when he proveth him by afflictions, and withholdeth His provisions
from him, he saith:—My Lord despiseth me. By no means; but ye honour
not the orphan, neither do ye excite one another to feed the poor;
and ye devour the inheritance of the weak, with undistinguishing
greediness; and ye love riches with much affection...._
“_O thou soul which art at rest, return unto thy Lord, well pleased
with thy reward, and well pleasing unto our God; enter among my
servants, and enter Paradise._”
A fortieth part of the income belongs to the poor, and is, in Muslim
lands, a compulsory tax. It is distinct from private almsgiving.