Some Distinctive Features of Islam — Page 13
13 the original inhabitants of Australia, or the pygmies of the Congo. ! Islam is a religion that conforms to human nature and fulfils all human needs. No change in its teachings is necessary, unless there also occurs a fundamenta l change in human nature, a prospect we can dismiss outright. These were a few facets of the principles of Islamic teachings. I shall now discuss them a little further so that my submission may be understood more fully. Zakat versus Interest Islam condemns the institution of interest in all its forms and strongly urges its total elimination. The motive force it presents in place of interest, to move the economic wheel, is called Zakat. Obviously, I cannot treat this subject in detail in the time available, and will, therefore, just say a few words on the methodology adopted by the Holy Quran to present the essence of its teachings in this important sphere. Zakat is a system of taxing capita l, realised from the well-to- do. Apart from meeting the demands of the state, this tax is intended to meet the needs of the poor. In other words, this system not only meets the requirements of the government machinery, but also guarantees to fulfil the demands of social welfare. All that has been done is to lay down the basic principle, leaving it to those with insight and understanding to settle the details in accordance with the conditions prevailing in a particular environment at a given time.