2. The Economic Equality
To bring about this equality in the economic condition of the people,
Islam has introduced various methods. An important method is the
transferringoftheexcesswealthfromthefortunatesectorofthesociety
toitslessfortunatemembers.Thisisdoneontwodifferentlevels:onan
individual level and on a collective level.
On Individual Level:Economicequalityispursuedthroughthemoralandethicalteachings
of charity.In Arabic, thisis known assadaqaandinfāq.Thereare many
versesintheQur'ānwhichcommandtheMuslimstohelpothersvolun-
tarily.Therearemoreversesdealingwithvoluntarycharitythantheob-
ligatorydues. Everyone ismorally obligedto helpothersaccordingto
his or her own means and resources.
First level of charity:Theyaskyou(OMuhammad)astowhattheyshouldspend(inwayof
charity). Say, “Whatever can be spared (from your wealth after your
own expenses).”(2:219)
Second level of charity:...Thepious (are)those who...spend(incharity)fromwhateverWe
have given to them.(2:3)
Third level of charity:Thepiouspeople(are)thosewhospend(benevolently)ingoodandbad
days.(3:134)
In all these levels, one must remember to follow the path of
moderation:
neitherkeepyourhandshackled toyourneck(outof greed),norout-
spread it completely open—otherwise you willsit reproached and de-
nuded.(17:29)