Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 283
283 of the wealth which God has bestowed upon you,' 137 that is to say, your wealth is a trust to the benefit of which the poor are entitled. This would show that Islam encourages a spirit of competition and in order to foster this spirit, it permits people to retain that which they have fairly and honestly earned. But as all things in the universe are the common property of all mankind, the poor have also a right in the wealth of the rich and the latter should, therefore, set apart a portion of their wealth as if in payment of a royalty for the use and benefit of the poor. This raises another important question. If it is necessary to encourage a spirit of competition among man, the competition must be open to all classes of men and institutions; and devices which would limit such competition to a few individuals reducing the rest to the position of mere outside spectators should be abolished or rectified. Islam acknowledges the justice of this and makes provision for it. It has laid down instructions and directions by following which, ( a ) the spirit of competi- tion is fostered and encouraged, ( b ) private ownership is safeguarded and those who put forth greater diligence or contribute a higher degree of intelligence are secured proportionately higher rewards, ( c ) those who have in any way contributed towards the production of wealth are secured a just and fair share of it, ( d ) the door of progress is kept open for all mankind and admission is not restricted to the members of a particular family or 137 Al-N u r, 24:34.