the arrogance of the Age of Ignorance and its pride in one’s forefathers. People are but two kinds: a devout believer and a wretched sinner.”

So, whichever of these two proves more mindful of Allah is the nobler in His sight; and if they are equal in piety, then they are equal in rank.

[The Legal Meaning of “Poverty”]

In the revealed law the term “poverty” (faqr) may denote material indigence, or it may refer to the creature’s essential neediness before his Creator, as the Exalted says:

“Charitable offerings are only for the poor and the destitute…” (Q 9:60)

and He says:

“O mankind, you are the ones in need of Allah.” (Q 35:15)

Allah Almighty has praised two categories of the poor in the Qur’an: those entitled to receive the prescribed charities, and those entitled to a share of the communal revenues (fay’).

Concerning the first group He says:

“[Charity is] for the poor who are restrained in the path of Allah, unable to travel the land; the uninformed deem them self-sufficient…” (Q 2:273)