The concept of Tauheed and social welfare in Islam

The author emphasizes in the article the idea of Qiran, or pair theory of al-Qur'an. Often, as he shows, verses of the scripture pair actions pertaining to social welfare (such as Zakah, charity, and sacrifice) with Salah (prayer). This reflects the balance aimed at in Islam between a spiritual outlook and a material outlook in day to day living. The author discusses the balance between Zakah and Salah and sees Zakah as 'the most important aspect of Islam.' The five obligatory prayers in the day are seen side by side with the five-level structure of tax rates that can be levied in Islam. Fay, or 100% tax, is applied to all unearned income and the wealth returns to Bait al-Mal for distribution as pleases Allah. The author cites the principle of Tauheed and Allah's oneness. The author relays the strong association in Islam between prayer and alms-giving in order to illustrate the centrality of social welfare in the religion of Islam.