"Pecher en secret, n'est pas pecher, Ce n'est que l'eclat qui fait le crime." Those who have to work for their living find the observance of the fast very difficult, for however laborious may be their occupation they must not swallow any liquid; yet as {218} a rule the lower classes observe it strictly.[225] In hot climates this is often exceedingly distressing. In such circumstances the evening twilight is anxiously looked for, as then the Iftar can be commenced. The month of Ramazan brings with it other duties than that of fasting. These will be described in the next chapter. 4. ZAKAT.--There are two terms in use to express almsgiving. The first is Zakat (literally, "purification") or the legal alms due, with certain exceptions, from every Muslim. The second is Sadqa, or offerings on the feast day known as 'Id-ul-Fitr, or alms in general.[226] It is the first of these that has now to be considered. On the authority of the Quran and the Ijma'-i-Ummat it is declared to be a farz duty for every Muslim of full age, after the expiration of a year, to give the Zakat on account of his property; provided that, he has sufficient for his subsistence and is a Sahib-i-Nisab, or one who possesses an income equivalent to about L5 per annum. The Quran says: "Observe prayer (Salat) and the legal impost (Zakat)." (Sura ii. 40). The Khalif 'Umr Ibn 'Abd-ul-'Aziz used to say: "Prayer carries us half way to God, fasting brings us to the door of His palace, and alms procure us admission." The three conditions without which Zakat would not be compulsory are Islam, Hurriat (freedom) and Nisab (stock). The reason for this is, that Zakat is said to be a fundamental part of 'Ibadat (worship), and that, as the Infidels cannot perform acceptable worship, they have nothing to do with Zakat. Freedom is necessary, for slaves hold no {219} property. Nisab is required, for so the Prophet has decreed. When the Nisab is required for daily use the zakat is not taken from it; such as a slave retained for personal service, grain for food, weapons, tools, books, household furniture, wearing apparel, horses for riding, &c., for one Tradition records that the Prophet specially exempted all these, whilst another given on the authority of Bukhari states that for slaves employed in domestic service only the Sadqa-i-fitr[227] should be given. If a person owes a debt, the amount necessary for its liquidation must be deducted from his property and the Zakat given on the balance. If it is a debt due to God, such as an offering due on a vow or to be given in atonement for the neglect of some religious duty, it must not be so deducted from the property on which Zakat is due.