Rights
1. The relationship between religious belief and practice and human rightsFormal attempts to guarantee, for all human beings, decent treatment and protection from discrimination and abuses of power. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is based on belief in the 'dignity and worth of the human person'. The universality of human rights appeals very much to humanists., social justice and citizenship.
2. Means by which contemporary, historical and founder figures have created paradigms of action for people of faith.
3. Responsibilities and commitments in being a person of faith.
It was the greed and selfishness of the merchants in MakkahThe holy city of Islam to be found on the Arabian peninsular which prompted Muhammad to emphasise MuslimOne who submits to Allah by following the religion of Islam concern for the poor. He implemented these teachings when he moved to al-MadinahThe holy city to which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) migrated.
All wealth and riches come from AllahThe Arabic name for God and are for the benefit of all humanity. ZakahPurification of wealth by payment of annual welfare due. An obligatory act of worship. (purification of wealth by payment of welfare due) one of the Five Pillars, is central to this view.
And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: and whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah: for Allah sees well all that ye do. (Surah 2:110)
Zakah is a central aspect of the ummahIn Islam, belonging to the wider community (the worldwide brotherhood of Muslims) and is also an act of 'ibadah, duty and worshipThe offering of praise and reverence to God via a religious service.
Zakah is 2.5% of the income and savings of all Muslims after they have taken care family concerns. It is not charity but an obligation on all Muslims. However, the rich pay more than others and the very poor people pay nothing at all.
The calculations for zakah are complex:
Money and savings 2%
Produce from naturally 10% irrigated land
Produce from artificially 5% irrigated land
Cattle one per 30 animals
Goats and sheep one per 40 animals
Five camels: one sheep or goat
Precious metals: 7%
Mining produce 20%
Rent 2%
In Islamic countries zakah is a form of social security.
Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the Truth); for those in bondage (slavery) and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer (traveller). (Surah 9:60)
Extra zakah is given at Id-ul-FitrThe festival of the breaking of the fast at the end of the month of Ramadan and Id-ul-Adha The festival of sacrifice in the Islamic calendar which is celebrated at the end of the Hajj. Additional voluntary charity called sadaqahAn Arabic word referring to Islamic charity can also be given when someone is in need.
It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness - to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practise regular charity, to fulfil their contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or sufferingThe universal condition of humankind, partly caused by the impermanence of all things) and adversity (trouble), and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the GodWord used to describe a personal transcendent Being-fearing. (Surah 2:177)
Charity must always be given privately:
There is a man who gives charity and he conceals it so much that his left hand does not know what his right hand spends. (Hadith(pl. Ahadith) Islamic traditions or stories concerning the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh))
The only exception to this rule of privacy is when the giver needs to provide an example which will encourage other people to give.
Every day, each person has two angels near him who have descended from heaven. One says, 'O Allah!, compensate the person who gives to charity,' the other says, 'O Allah! Inflict a loss on the person who withholds his money.' Zakah helps the poor but it can also been seen as helping them to help the rich. When people accept zakah they are worshipping Allah and accepting the wisdom of the will of Allah.
It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah 6:165)
Websites
http://pof.reonline.org.uk/islam.php
http://www.al-islam.org/ethics/index.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam
http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Q_Studies/ Articles from the fields of Qur'anic Studies
http://www.livingislam.org/ Traditional Islam website
http://www.uga.edu/islam/home.html One of the most comprehensive websites on Islam on the internet.
http://www.virtuallyislamic.com (This website provides a list of Islamic websites which are regularly updated, go to 'Islamic Studies Pathways')
Bibliography
‘Ābidīn, Z.a., n.d.The Psalms Of Islam: Al-Sahifa & Al-Sajjadiya. s.l.: s.n.
Abbas T., (ed.), 2005. Muslim Britain: Communities under Pressure. London: Zed.
Abdel Haleem, M. A., 1999. Understanding the Quran : themes and style. London: Tauris.
Arkoun, M., 1994. Rethinking Islam: Common Questions, Uncommon Answers. Oxford: Westview Press.
Askari, H., 1991. Spiritual Quest: An Inter-Religious Dimension. Leeds: Seven Mirrors.
Ayoub, M., 2004. Islam: Faith and History. Oxford: Oneworld.
Brown, D., 2004. A New Introduction to Islam. Oxford: Blackwell.
Ernst, C.W., 1999. Teachings of Sufism. Boston, MassRoman Catholic term for the Eucharist or Lord's Supper: Shambhala.
Esack, F., 1999. On Being a Muslim: Finding a Religious Path in the World Today. Oxford: Oneworld.
Esposito, J. & Voll, J., 2001. Makers of Contemporary Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ghazali, M. a., 1998. A journey through the Qur'an : themes and messages of the holy Qur'an. London: Dar Al Taqwa.
Goddard, H., 1995. Christians and Muslims: From Double Standards to Mutual Understanding. London: Curzon.
Halm, H., et al., 2004. Shi'ism. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Hewer, C.T.R., 2006. Understanding Islam: The First Ten Steps. London: SCM Press.
Lings, M., 1991. Muhammad: his life based on the earliest sources. London: Islamic Texts Society.
Mayled, J., 2007. ‘Islam’. In Tyler, S. & Reid, G., AS Religious Studies. London: Pearson
Mayled, J., 2007. ‘Islam’. In Tyler, S. & Reid, G., A2 Religious Studies. London: Pearson
Modood, T., 2005. Multicultural Politics: Racism, Ethnicity and Muslims in Britain. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Murata, S. & Chittick, W.C., 1994. The vision of Islam. New York, NY: Paragon House.
Nasr, S. H. et al., 1988. Shi'ism: doctrines, thought, and spirituality. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press.
Nasr, S.H., 1988. Ideals and Realities of Islam. London: Unwin.
In Association with Amazon