38 Preface وَالَّذينَ استَجابوا لِرَبِّهِم وَأَقامُوا الصَّلاةَ وَأَمرُهُم شورىٰ بَينَهُم وَمِمّا رَزَقناهُم يُنفِقونَYusuf AliThose who hearken1 to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation;2 who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;Continuing the enumeration of the characteristics described in n. 4576. above, we have the following further qualities in those who wish to serve God. (5) They are ready at all times to hearken to God’s Signs, or to listen to the admonitions of prophets of God, and to follow the true Path, as they understand it: (6) they keep personal contact with God, by habits of Prayer and Praise; (7) their conduct in life is open and determined by mutual Consultation between those who are entided to a voice, e.g., in private domestic affairs, as between husband and wife, or other responsible members of the household: in affairs of business, as between partners or parties interested: and in State affairs, as between rulers and ruled, or as between different departments of administration, to reserve the unity of administration: (8) they do not forget Charity, or the help due to their weaker brethren, out of the wealth or gifts or talents or opportunities, which God had provided for themselves: and (9) when other people use them despitefully, they are not cowed down or terrorised into submission and acceptance of evil, but stand up for their rights within the limits mentioned in verse 40. (R).Consultation. This is the keyword of the Sūra, and suggests the ideal way in which a good man should conduct his affairs, so that, on the one hand, he may not become too egotistical, and, on the other, he may not lightly abandon the responsibilities which devolve on him as a Personality whose development counts in the sight of God. See the points in head (7) under n. 4578 above. This principle was applied to its fullest extent by the Prophet in his private and public life, and was fully acted upon by the early rulers of Islam. Modern representative government is an attempt-by no means perfect-to apply this principle in State affairs. See my Religion Polity of Islam,