“Verily, religion is easy, therefore hold it firm.” (See Mishkāt, Bābu ʾl-Iqtiṣād.)
MODESTY (Arabic ḥayāʾ حياء) is frequently commended in the traditional sayings of Muḥammad, who is related to have said:—
“Modesty is a branch of faith.”
“Verily, modesty and faith are joined together.” (Mishkāt, book xxii. ch. xix.)
MONASTICISM Arabic rahbānīyah (رهبانية) was forbidden by Muḥammad. It is related in the Traditions that ʿUs̤mān ibn Maz̤ʿūn came to the Prophet with the request that he might retire from society and become a monk (rāhib). The Prophet replied, “The retirement which becomes my people is to sit in the corner of a mosque and wait for the time of prayer.” (Mishkāt, book iv. ch. 8.)
In the Qurʾān, the Christians are charged with inventing the monastic life. [Sūrah lvii. 27]: “We gave them the Gospel, and we put into the hearts of those who follow him, kindness and compassion; but as to the monastic life, they invented it themselves.”
According to the Hidāyah (vol. ii. p. 215), capitation-tax is not to be imposed upon Rāhibs, whether Christian or Pagan, but this is a matter of dispute.
MONEY. There are three coins mentioned in the Qurʾān, (1) Qint̤ār (قنطار), (2) Dīnār (دينار), (3) Dirham (درهم), pl. Darāhim.
(1) Qint̤ār. [Sūrah iii. 68]: “Among the people of the Book are those to one of whom, if you entrust a qint̤ār, he will restore it.”
In the Qāmūs, it is said that a qint̤ār was a gold coin of the value of 200 dīnārs, but Muḥammad T̤āhir, the author of the Majmaʿu ʾl-Biḥār (p. 173), says it implies a very considerable sum of money, as much gold as will go into the hide of a cow. It is generally translated talent.