Amongst the many choice things I have gleaned from the work so often quoted in my Letters, viz. 'Hyaatool Kaaloob', the following, through my Meer's aid in translation, may here be inserted. MAHUMUD'S ADVICE 'Observe, ye faithful, there are five things most acceptable to God the Creator, from man, His creature:-- 1st. 'A generous gift, made when you have the greatest necessity yourself for that which you give away. 2nd. 'All gifts that are free-will offerings of the heart, neither expecting nor desiring your bounty, should be rewarded, either by returns or acknowledgements. 3rd. 'To be most humble, when in the enjoyment of the greatest prosperity. 4th. 'To promote peace, when the reason for indulging your anger is most enticing. 5th. 'To forgive freely from the heart, when the power to revenge is present with you.' You perceive a system of charitable feeling is inculcated by the laws of Mahumud; and in every-day practice it is found to be the prominent feature in their general habits. It is common with the meanest of the people to offer a share of their food to any one calling upon them at meal-time. I have seen this amiable trait of character in all classes of the people; and often on a river voyage, or a land journey, when the servants cook their dinner under a tree or by the bank of the river, if a dog, which they consider an unclean animal, advances within their reach, a portion of their food is thrown to him with that kindliness of feeling which induces them to share with the hungry, whatever gifts they receive from the Author of all good.[10] Except in seasons of famine, no one need despair of having sufficient to support nature, wherever the Mussulmauns congregate. I speak it to their credit, and in justice to their character. [1] See p. 67. [2] Known among Indian Musalmans as _dasaundh_, 'tithes'. [3] _Sadaqah_, used in the Koran (ii. 265) for almsgiving. In India the term is applied to the custom by which money, clothes, grain, &c., are waved over a patient, or only shown to him, and then given away to beggars; or they are placed near the foot of a tree, on the bank of a river, or where four roads meet, and are then supposed to carry away the disease with them.--Jaffur Shurreef, _Qanoon-e-Islam_, p. 252. [4] _Imam zamini_, 'a gift to the guardian saint'. When about to go on a journey, or when any misfortune befalls a person, a coin or metal ring is tied up in a cloth coloured with turmeric, in the name of the Imam Zamin, and worn on his left arm. When the traveller reaches his destination, or gets rid of his affliction, it is taken off, and its value, with some money in addition, is spent in food or sweetmeats, which are offered in the name of the saint.--Jaffur Shurreef, p. 182. [5] _Pak_. [6] _Imam Zamani, Zamani tum karo_. [7] _Munshi_, 'a writer, secretary'. [8] _Shukr Allah_.