Amy Singer is a professor in the Department of Middle Eastern and African History at Tel Aviv University. Her recent books include Charity in Islamic Societies and Starting with Food: Culinary Approaches to Ottoman History (also available from Markus Wiener).

An in-depth tour of the history of charity in Islamic societies from the beginnings of Islam to the present day.

Introduction; 1. Pray and pay alms; 2. Even half a date; 3. The upper hand; 4. The poor and the needy; 5. The mixed economy of charity; Conclusion: reorienting charity.