Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 210
210 islam’s response to contemporary issues themselves of the lot of the poor for whom thirst and hunger is but a way of life. 4) Zakat transfers the due right of the poor from the capital of the wealthy. 5) Then, finally, the fifth pillar of Islam is pilgrimage, often described as the greatest spectacle of human unity. The female pilgrims are permitted to wear simple sewn clothes. The male pilgrims are clad in two unsewn sheets—a uniform for both the rich and the poor. But that is not all. Apart from the above acts of worship, there are many other measures introduced and implemented in a Muslim society which continuously bridge the gap between various sections of society and provide the much needed ventilation and convection for a healthy environment in which the rich are allowed to remain reasonably rich but are also required to care for the poor. A similar principle was expounded by Jesus as , when he said, the meek shall inherit the earth. It is a great pity that despite this moral injunction, capitalism has singularly failed to care for the poor and the meek members of society. International Obligations Discussing the alternative course of action to be adopted during periods of any natural disaster or great calamity afflicting any society, (see basic needs mentioned earlier) the Holy Quran describes the right choice in the following sequence: