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VII
THE QURAN
two
rak'as.
They end with a
shaf
(in pairs) prayer followed by a
witr
one.
5. Other prayers include the Eclipse prayer, the thanks-giving
prayer, the prayer of fear and the prayer at the time of drought.
6. The Alms-Tax
(Zakat)
The Alms-tax is one of the five pillars of Islam. Giving it is a
duty and an act of devotion. Its main aim is to create an orderly
society by removing poverty and promoting brotherhood,
cooperation and compassion-which are the foundation of civil
life. It, moreover, purifies the soul, ennobles the person and
preserves wealth and blesses it.
Like other acts of devotion and religious duties, the alms-tax is to
a great extent a matter of conscience which is well known only
by God. Allah Most High and Blessed-has made it easy for the
Muslim to perform it honestly and properly because it is a
specified small portion of the Muslim’s wealth which over-
burdents none. It is, besides, a little percentage of the blessing
which Allah-Lord of the Worlds bestows upon his servants.
The Alms-tax has to be paid by the Muslim on his saving and
invested wealth which has been in his possession for one whole
year. Such saving and investment must, however, exceed 12
dinars in value. The Alms-tax to be paid is 2.5 percent of the
total sum (of capital saved and invested).
The Alms-tax is also due in specified portions on other forms of
possessions such as cattle, crops and fruits.