Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 251
251 dear, Muhammad’s descendants are not permitted to partake of charity. ” On another occasion he said to his daughter: “Fatima, continue to be diligent in righteous action, for on the Day of Judgement you will not be asked whose daughter you are, you will only be asked how you employed yourself. ” The Quran lays great stress on kindness toward neighbours (4:37). The Prophet emphasized on many occasions the duty owed to a neighbour, saying: “So repeatedly and so much has God impressed upon me the duty owed to a neighbour that I began to think that a neighbour might perhaps be named an heir. ” On one occasion while urging his companions to keep constantly in mind the need of kindliness toward their neighbours, he said: “This is not at all difficult; all that is necessary is that one should be willing at all times to share with one’s neighbour; even if you have only broth for a meal, it is easy to add an extra cup of water and share the broth with your neighbour. ” In the same way, the needy and the wayfarer must be looked after (4:37). The insistence upon kindness and help to the wayfarer is particularly striking. Only a person who has had occasion to travel in foreign lands where even the language is unfamiliar can properly appreciate this direction. The traveller need not be poor and wanting in means. The mere fact that he is in a strange land, among strange people, and, perhaps unable to express his needs in their