Part One: SEERAH (Biographical Sketch) CHAPTER

C:\Users\Admin\Dropbox\The Message - Material of Maulana\16. Books and Review\Apa's Books\Life And 42 order to develop the spiritual part in him, so that he will be able to attain spirituality. The Spirit of Zakah Zakah, in reality, is a form of sacrifice meant to underlie those ethical values which are known in Islam as Huququl Ibad, that is, fulfilment of one’s responsibilities towards others. Thus the spirit of Zakah is the service of mankind. It requires an annual contribution of 2.5 percent of an individual’s wealth and assets, not merely a percentage of his annual income. In Islam, the true owner of things is not man but God. People are given their wealth as a trust from God. Therefore, Zakah, far from being viewed as “charity,” is an obligation—for those who have received their wealth from God—to help the less weaker members of the community: “...the poor, orphans, and widows, to free slaves and debtors, and to support those working for the cause of God.” (9:60). (For further details see the chapter on social welfare). The Spirit of Hajj The root meaning of the word, “Hajj” is to set out or to make a pilgrimage. Canonically it has come to refer to the act of worship performed annually in the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. At least once in his or her lifetime, every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able is required to make the sacrifice of time, money, comforts, becoming a pilgrim totally at God’s service. The pilgrims wear simple garments, two seamless white clothes for men and a dress that entirely covers the body, except the face and hands, for women. These coverings symbolise purity as well as the unity and equality of all believers. Some important rituals to be performed during the Hajj are as follows: — Tawaf (circumambulation), i.e. going round the Kabah seven times. — Saee: the pilgrims undertake a brisk walk between Safa and Marwah, two hillocks near the Kabah.