Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 148
148 islam’s response to contemporary issues These alms are for the poor who are detained in the cause of Allah and are unable to move about in the land. The ignorant considers them to be free from want merely because they desist from begging. Thou shalt know them by their appearance; they do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever you spend of your wealth on such people of that Allah is Fully-Aware. 13 This principle becomes very clear from the following verse: Whatever Allah has given to His Messenger as spoils from the people of the towns is for Allah, and for the Messenger, and the near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy and the wayfarer, that it may not circulate only among those of you who are rich. And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from that. And fear Allah; surely, Allah is severe in retribution. 14 The Holy Prophet sa of Islam also mentions this principle in a Tradition partly translated as: Narrates H ak i m Ibn H iz a m ra : The Holy Prophet sa said, ‘The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i. e. , he who gives in charity is