Forty Gems of Beauty — Page 144
144 Explanatory Notes The measures adopted by Islam to regulate the distribution of wealth, and to minimise the disproportion between high-income and low- income groups, is an open book. In this respect, the social distinctions that perpetuate mutual rivalry and class struggle by dividing the rich and the poor into two distinct camps, are the most objectionable and principal features of the episode. Islam has exerted in the extreme to remove this class struggle and to reconcile the emotional conflict. In this connection, the first step it takes is to put all Muslims on an equal level as brothers. Again, in respect of rights, it has not permitted the public posts of profit to become the monopoly of one class, but has commanded that they should be open to all and that appointments should be made on the basis of merit, irrespective of caste or tribe or poverty or wealth. In order to promote social contact among the rich and the poor and to welding them into one family, the Holy Prophet (May peace and blessings of Allah be on him) has, besides this, commanded that when they arrange a feast, the wealthy must invite the poor also, and when asked to a meal by the poor, they should not decline to accept their invitation. The Hadith under reference emphasises the august words of the Holy Prophet (May peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He says in very emphatic language: the worst feast is the one to which the wealthy have been invited and from which the poor have been left out. At the same time, he warns the wealthy that it is not permissible for them to decline the invitation of a poor man on the ground of his poverty and the Muslim who did so “sinned against God and disobeyed His Prophet. ” In another Hadith, he says: