a general term for what is given out of charity to the poor.

In the early ages of Christianity, the alms of the charitable were divided into four parts; one of which was allotted to the bishop, another to the priests, and a third to the deacons and subdeacons, which made their whole subsistence; the fourth part was employed in relieving the poor, and in repairing the churches.

No religious system is more frequent or warm in its exhortations to almsgiving than the Mahometan. The Alcoran represents alms as a necessary means to make prayer be heard. Hence that saying of one of their caliphs: "Prayer carries us half way to God, fasting brings us to the door of his palace, and alms introduces us into the presence chamber." Hence many illustrious examples of this virtue among the Mahometans. Hafan the son of Ali, and grandson of Mohammed, in particular, is related to have thrice in his life divided his substance equally between himself and the poor, and twice to have given away all he had. And the generality are so addicted to the doing of good, that they extend their charity even to brutes.