The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 52
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 52 hindrance or obstacle occurs to lesson the gap which had developed in the previous generation. The perfect and complete form in which Islām has established the law of the division of inheritance, cannot be found elsewhere. Furthermore, upon studying the intricacies of this law, the mention of which space does not permit here, it is clearly perceived that in this system of inheritance, the purpose is not only to distribute inheritance to respective heirs. Rather, the distribution of national wealth is also a prime objective. It is for this reason that Islām has also permitted a dying person to bequeath a third i. e. , 1/3 of his wealth, and this portion has not been deemed legal for an heir. 1 In other words, by this means, in addition to the compulsory portion of heirs, Islām has also opened the door to make it possible for pure- hearted people to further distribute their wealth amongst those who are most deserving. Alas! What could be said of the benefits of this system of inheritance. Today, Muslims have even put aside the injunction concerning the obligatory division of inheritance. Furthermore, the intoxication of capitalism has even deprived girls and wives and mothers and fathers from their due rights. In any case, the Islāmic law of inheritance is such a blessed system that through it, the phenomenon of the distribution of national wealth continues. Along with this, means should be employed whereby the national offspring may be multiplied. 2 Hence, if offspring multiples on the one hand and inheritance is vastly distributed on the other, it is evident that the national wealth shall automatically continue to be divided. However, it is imperative that Muslims act upon this blessed teaching. 2. Secondly, the Islāmic law of social support has been divided into two categories: compulsory and voluntary. The compulsory law relates to the system of Zakāt , 3 whereby a special tax of 2. 5% to 20% is levied on the wealth of the affluent, based on varying circumstances. The money which is acquired through this tax 1 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Waṣāyā, Bābul-Waṣiyyati Bith-Thuluth, Ḥadīth No. 2744 * Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Waṣiyyah, Bābul-Waṣiyyati Bith-Thuluth, Ḥadīth No. 4209 2 * Banī Isrā’īl (17:32) * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābun-Nikāḥ, Bābu Ṭalabil-Waladi, Ḥadīth No. 5245 3 Almsgiving in Islām (Publishers)