Arab camels. For sheep, He set the threshold at forty sheep; for cattle, thirty; and for camels, five. But since a herd at this threshold could not bear a contribution in the same kind of livestock (1), He required one sheep instead. Once five was multiplied fivefold, reaching twenty-five, the herd could bear the contribution of one camel, which then became the amount due.
Then He (2) prescribed the age of the camel due, increasing or decreasing it according to the size of the herd: beginning with male and female yearlings, then two-year-old males and females, then three-year-old males and females, and then four-year-old males and females (3). As the herd grew, the required age increased until it reached its upper limit. Thereafter, He increased the number of animals due in proportion to the increase in the herd (4).
Thus, His wisdom dictated that He prescribe a share of wealth that could be devoted to assisting those in need without unduly diminishing that wealth, and that would suffice the needy, leaving them in need of nothing further. He therefore imposed upon the wealth of the rich an amount sufficient for the poor. Yet wrongdoing arose from both groups: the wealthy person by withholding (5) what