Retreat to the mosques is recommended in which all the...

Retreat to the mosques is recommended in which all the carnal temptations have to be avoided. As the least length of time marked off for the RETREAT is three days, the above commandment for approaching women in the nights does not read and is naturally violated.

188** This verse implies a general, and very important Islamic principle which may govern all the economical affairs, and covers most of the other religious jurisprudence problems. It says: ``Do not eat out your properties among yourselves for vain and frivolous uses.'' In a general sense of meaning, the verse implies a divine prohibition, in order to prevent getting possession of other's properties in a wrong and unrightful manner.

This involves all transactions and bargains that are not based on wisdom and justice. This verse is connected with that of the fast, because the greed of wealth and property in man, is classified among the other three primal needs of him that are to be restrained during the fasting day. These were mentioned as eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse.

In the preceding verse it was prohibited to eat other people's property, and not only when you fast, but so far as you live; and both of these prohibitions are branches of piety.

Through this verse, man is strictly forbidden to use his property for corrupting others - the judge or those in authority, so as to obtain some material gain, even under the cover and protection of the law: - ``Giving some of your property to judges in order to eat some of people's wealth sinfully, while you know.'' [ 203 ] BRIBERY; THE SOCIAL CALAMITY One of the great calamities that has always afflicted Man, is BRIBERY, which is a great obstacle to social justice in the world.

It is obvious that, where the doors of bribery are kept open rules and laws will give negative results, and will be a play-toy in the hands of the wealthy and men of power. This is why in Islam, it has been declared as a heinous sin; and strictly unlawful.