Page:Five Pillars of Islam (IA fivepillarsofisl00kamauoft).djvu/22

 It was Islam alone before all other religonsreligions [sic] of the world which systematized alms and gave charity the prestige and form of an institution. When asked what was the ultimate aim of "zakát," the Holy Prophet Muhammad replied that it was a means whereby the rich had to give something out of their opulence for the help of those in need. Hence it is that by means of prayer, fasting, and alms, a Muslim, through giving up for the help and succour of others all that does belong to him, learns to practise rejecting all that does not belong to him lawfully. In this respect Islam is a wonderful system indeed.

I have pointed it out above that men's undue attachment to their worldly possessions, their relations and other objects, have been the fertile source of all manner of disorder in the world. To adequately meet this abuse, the tenet of Pilgrimage is laid down. Under this a Muslim has to undertake once in his