what is earned by their hands does not belong to any mouths other than theirs.

what is earned by their hands does not belong to any mouths other than theirs." (Nahj al-Bala'ghah, sermon 232) There are some nu#u'# that emphasize the economic freedom in a natural form the clearest of which is the rule on which all fuqaha'' [Islamic scholars] rely, namely the rule (Al-na'su musalla>u'na `ala' amwa'lihim [people are in control of their properties]).

Naturally, there are some limits to this freedom which are mentioned by other nu#u'# stressing that this restriction is only for the benefit of the individual and the society. There are some nu#u'# that emphasize the inherence of mutual responsibility and cooperation and further consider all kinds of negligence with respect to this principle as a general rejection of di'n [faith and religion]. The Exalted says: "Have you seen the person who rejects the religion?

He is the one who treats the orphan with harshness, and does not urge (others) to feed the poor." (107:1-3) Finally, there are some nu#u'# that stress the necessity for the realization of balance in the society through their emphasis on the prohibition of isra'f and also the necessity of renouncing poverty and providing subsistence for every individual.

The Ima'm (`a) says, while speaking of the duties of the wali'y al-amr [leader] toward the needy: "He keeps giving him from zaka'h till he makes him needless." Previous…