, North Africa, commented recently in a conversation that “the Zakah is not viewed as an obligation, although it is one. It is, to the Moslem, viewed as an honor in which to help his brother in need.” It must be noted, however, that Zakah is intended for one’s Moslem brothers in need. The charity given not only purifies the contributor, but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. Furthermore, it purifies the heart of the needy one from envy, hatred, or jealousy, and replaces these undesirable thoughts with those of good will and wishes of happiness for the contributors. The list of recipients of Zakah is multiple: the Moslem poor and needy, the new Moslem converts, and the Moslem prisoners of war (as a means to free them). It is also intended for Moslems in debt, those appointed to collect the charity and Moslems in service of research or study or propagation of Islam. This is not an exhaustive list. As needs arise within the “family” of the Islamic faith, the charity is distributed.In order to increase ones spiritual depth it is necessary at times to purge the needs of the body. In Islam, the needs of the body are considered to complicate closeness to Allah. To become the vessel needed to accept all Allah has to give, the Moslem faithful practice another purging of the soul. Fasting (Sawm).Personal fasting and prayer may be done at the discretion of the individual. Recommended personal fasting times and dates are suggested, but are not viewed as an obligation. Once a year, however, during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic year), obligatory fasting takes place. Abstinence is ordered in the form of eating, drinking, allowing intimate sexual contacts, and smoking. These restrictions of the daily life are in place from the break of dawn until sunset.Fasting teaches man the principle of sincere love to God. It brings to an individual’s heart the understanding...
