Page:Five Pillars of Islam (IA fivepillarsofisl00kamauoft).djvu/20

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two different forms in Islam. One sort is optional and the other compulsory. The last named is called "zakát," the expenditure of which is not permissible to the payer himself. The "zakát," has to be paid into a fund under the supervision of a committee, who make use of it for eight different purposes as laid down in the Qur-án in this wise:—

"Alms are only for the poor and the needy, and the officials (appointed over) them, and those whose hearts are made to incline to truth and the ransoming of captives, and those in debt and in the way of Allah: an ordinance from Allah, and Allah is Knowing, Wise". (9:60).

The expression "in the way of God," which is the translation of "fi sabililláh" in the text, in the above verse, signifies the dissemination of Islam and its truths to the non-Muslims. Similarly the fourth item of the disbursement of "zakát," refers to another aspect of Islamic propaganda. "Those whose hearts are made to incline to truth"