125
XXI.—ZAKA′T, OR LEGAL ALMS-
GIVING.
Zaka′t (lit. "purification"), the legal alms, or poor rate, is the fourth of the five foundations of practice. Zakát should be given annually of five descriptions of property, provided they have been in possession a whole year; namely, money, cattle, grain, fruit, and merchandise. There are several minor differences amongst the various sects as to the precise explanation of the law with reference to these legal alms; but the following are the general rules observed by Sunni Musulmáns:—
(1.) Money. If he is a Sáhib-i-Nissáb (i. e. one who has had forty rupees in his possession for a year), he must give alms at the rate of one rupee in every forty, or two and a half per cent.
(2.) Cattle. Should his property consist of sheep or goats, he is not obliged to give alms
