32.3.1 MUTUAL SOCIAL SUPPORT WITHIN THE FAMILY

Mutual social support in the family includes good treatment of parents, giving help to relatives, child care, and inheritance to assure financial support fot surviving members of the family. The Islamic system of inheritance makes sure that the wealth of the deceased is distributed among as many relatives as is possible so that excessive wealth accumulation can not be transferred from generation to generation.

32.3.2 MUTUAL SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY

Believers are like walls a building that support one another. A person cannot be a true believer until he likes for his brother what he loves for himself. A believer who relieves stress from a Muslim will have his stress relieved on the last day. Kindness and empathy are enjoined. Charity is given to the needy who ask and those who do not ask.

32.3.3 SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL SOCIAL GROUPS

Some social groups require more support and attention than others. Orphans must be taken care of and their wealth must not be embezzled. The widow and orphan are weak members of society who have a right to relief. Orphans should be fed and clothed. Travelers are often in need of help when they are far from their communities. Indebted Muslims also need relief when they have no other way of clearing their debts.

32.3.4 THE WELFARE SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

The community must help the poor in order to establish social justice. Feeding the poor is expiation of sins. Working to help the maskin is like engagement in jihad. Those who feed the maskin have strength of heart. Clothing the makiin is a great action. Zakat is taken from the rich and is given to the poor. Poverty can be relieved by zakat and sadaqat.