Now turning to alms and other philanthropic spending, all religions seem to promote the same in one way or another. In some religions spending in the cause of Allah is institutionalised by levying a well defined tithe. In others, the method is left to the free will of the individual as to how and how much to spend. Again, in this area the universality of Islamic teachings becomes evident when a detailed study of this subject is made from the Quran and the tradition and practices of the Holy Prophet of Islam^(sa). The subject is so vast, that it covers all possible areas of human interest.

We find in Islam an institutionalised mode of spending as well as non-institutionalised modes of spending, with their respective spheres well defined. But Islam does not leave it at that. It speaks of all possible requirements and their relative importance. Islam goes further to instruct man to spend in the cause of Allah keeping in view all the “do’s” and “don’ts” mentioned in the Quran. The Holy Quran is very clear on which spending in the cause of Allah will find favour with Him and which will be rejected. The subject is so vast, as mentioned before, that it is beyond the scope of this short treatise to cover every aspect of it. One thing however is certain, that the character of universality of this teaching becomes more and more apparent as one proceeds to grasp its form and spirit. Islam also clearly defines the areas of spending of the prescribed religious tithes, leaving no ambiguity whatsoever.