The New World Order of Islam — Page 114
New World Order 114 should be told how the system worked in practice. " In answer to this, it is important to realise in the first place that only that teaching can be successful which is able to deal with conditions arising in each succeeding age. It should possess enough elasticity to be able to achieve the ideal which it sets before us according to the circumstances of each age. An absolutely fixed and rigid system may prove beneficent at one time, or in one place, but may cease to be of any use at another time or another place. It must be able to adjust itself to the changing circumstances of human life. By elasticity, however, I mean elasticity in application, not in principles and ideals. In the early days of Islam, the social and econom- ic teachings of Islam proved fully equal to the demands made upon it. The Holy Prophet sa not only insisted upon simple modes of living but as soon as Muslims achieved political power, history bears witness that the needs of the poor were fulfilled from Zakat supplemented by voluntary subscriptions. In this connection the Companions ra of the Holy Prophet sa used often to make great sacrifices. Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra on one occasion contributed the whole of his property and on another Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra contributed almost the whole of his belongings, so that in accordance with this teaching the needs of the