igour.

They, however, frequently break the fast, though any such action must be
done in secret, for popular opinion all over the Musalman world is strongly
against a man who does not outwardly, at least, observe the fast of
Ramazan. In this matter it may be said

"Pecher en secret, n'est pas pecher,
Ce n'est que l'eclat qui fait le crime."

Those who have to work for their living find the observance of the fast
very difficult, for however laborious may be their occupation they must not
swallow any liquid; yet as {218} a rule the lower classes observe it
strictly.[225] In hot climates this is often exceedingly distressing. In
such circumstances the evening twilight is anxiously looked for, as then
the Iftar can be commenced. The month of Ramazan brings with it other
duties than that of fasting. These will be described in the next chapter.

4. ZAKAT.--There are two terms in use to express almsgiving. The first is
Zakat (literally, "purification") or the legal alms due, with certain
exceptions, from every Muslim. The second is Sadqa, or offerings on the
feast day known as 'Id-ul-Fitr, or alms in general.[226] It is the first of
these that has now to be considered.

On the authority of the Quran and the Ijma'-i-Ummat it is declared to be a
farz duty for every Muslim of full age, after the expiration of a year, to
give the Zakat on account of his property; provided that, he has sufficient
for his subsistence and is a Sahib-i-Nisab, or one who possesses an income
equivalent to about L5 per annum. The Quran says: "Observe prayer (Salat)
and the legal impost (Zakat)." (Sura ii. 40). The Khalif 'Umr Ibn
'Abd-ul-'Aziz used to say: "Prayer carries us half way to God, fasting
brings us to the door of His palace, and alms procure us admission." The
three conditions without which Zakat would not be compulsory are Islam,
Hurriat (freedom) and Nisab (stock). The reason for this is, that Zakat is
said to be a fundamental part of 'Ibadat (worship), and that, as the
Infidels cannot perform acceptable worship, they have nothing to do with
Zakat. Freedom is necessary, for slaves hold no {219} property. Nisab is
required, for so the Prophet has decreed. When the Nisab is required for
daily use the zakat is not taken from it; such as a slave retained for
personal service, grain for food, weapons, tools, books, household
furniture, wearing apparel, horses for riding, &c., for one Tradition
records that the Prophet specially exempted al