Aslam

The fifth quality is to have a big family with no earning.
Give charity to such a person who has got a big family or who is diseased, or is confined to the corner of his house on account of any other reason. God says with regard to these people.
'Those poor men who are confined in the way of God and cannot move in the world.' In other words, they are confined in the way of God for members of his family or for scanty means or for correction of soul or those who cannot roam on account of their defects in hands and feet are entitled to receive charity. The Prophet used to give charity according to the number of the members of a family.

(6) Another quality is near relationship, as charity to a near relative brings reward of keeping the tie of blood connection or relationship. Hazrat AH said: To give one dirham to my brother is dearer to me than to give twenty dirhams to a stranger. To give him twenty dirhams in charity and to keep blood connection with him is dearer to me than the charity of 200 dirhams to a stranger. To give him one hundred dirhams is dearer to me than to set free a slave.

The abvoe are the qualities which should be sought in giving charity to a person. It will increase reward.

SECTIONS FITNESS FOR RECEIVING ZAKAT

Know, O dear readers, that there is no Zakat for anybody except a Muslim who must not belong to the Hashemite dynasty.
Out of eight qualities, one quality is necessary for a receiver of Zakat. It cannot be paid to an unbeliever, slave, Hashemite, boy or an insane man except though his represenatative. The

- 1 74 THE BOOK OF WORSHIP Vol-I

descriptions of the eight classes of people who can receive Zakat are given below.

(1 ) THE POOR: A poor man is one who has got no wealth and properties and who has got no ability to earn. If he has got one day's food and wearing cloth, he is not a poor man but a miskin or destitute. A poor man does not go out of poverty if he has got habit of begging as begging is not a source of li velihood. If he has got power and strength to earn his livelihood, he goes out of poverty. If he is a technician but has got no instrument or money to purchase it, he can be helped with Zakat. The Prophet said: To seek lawful earning is compulsory after compulsory duties.
There is mention in it of earning livelihood by industry and trouble. Hazrat Omar said: A doubtful earning is better than begging. If a man is maintained by his parents, he cannot be called poor.

(2) MISKIN OR DESTITUTE: A man is called Miskin or destitute whose expense is greater than his income. He may be owner of one thousand dirhams, but still he is a destitute under the above circumstances.

(3) COLLECTORS OF ZAKAT. Out of the earnings of Zakat, collectors of Zakat may be paid. Writer, one who takes measure and one who copies registers are included within these staffs.
They cannot be paid in excess of their requirements.