The Five Pillars of Islam



The Five Pillars of Islam

The Fundamentals of a Muslims’ Life

Introduction

Muslims consider that everything they do in this life is to be done with the intention of pleasing Allah (God), in accordance with His guidance. The Islamic belief is built upon five pillars which are the framework of a Muslims life.

Muhammad, The final Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“Islam is built upon five pillars: The testimony that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah (Shahadah); establishing regular prayer (Salaah); Paying Charity (Zakah); Fasting Ramandan and Hajj (Pilgrimage)”

These five formal acts of worship when acted upon in a humble and sincere manner help strengthen a Muslim’s faith and obedience to Allah.

1. Declaration of Faith: Shahada

The declaring of faith is bearing witness that there is no God worthy of worship but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

The first part of the declaration implies that

• No person, object or being has the right to be worshipped except Allah- Allah is the name of God and there is only one God

• Allah alone is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists and He has power over all things

• Allah has no partner, equal, father, mother or son

The second part of the declaration is that Muhammad is His servant and final Messenger, the final prophet in a long chain of Prophets sent to call on the people to the obedience and worship of God alone. The Prophetic Tradition that Muslims believe in is: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. They believe in the same Prophets as Jews and Christians, but they also believe in an additional Prophet (Muhammad).

Just as Moses was sent with the Torah (the original uncorrupted revelation sent to Moses) and Jesus with the Gospel, Muslims believe that Muhammad was sent with the Qur’an to demonstrate how its teachings should be applied. He is the best example for all.

2. Prayer In Islam: Salat

“Verily, I am Allah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer for My remembrance." (Qur’an 20:14)

Salat, the ritual Prayer, is the second pillar of Islam after the declaration of faith. Prayer in Islam is the most regularly performed act of worship in a Muslim’s life, establishing a persona spiritual connection with the Creator. This connection is based on many characteristics such as faith, worship, increasing when one submits to Allah in prayer.

Five daily prayers are performed; one each at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall.  A Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities, provided they are clean.

Each prayer takes only a few minutes to perform and consists of recitation of the Holy Quran, Glorifying and Supplicating to Allah, and various body postures such as standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting.

Prayer is the center of a Muslims life, and it is the best way for a Muslim to truly live in Submission to Allah. The special connection that a Muslim has with their Creator is based on many characteristics such as Faith, Worship and Submission; all of these are put into practice, as well as improved and increased, when one submits to Allah in prayer.

In reality, when a prayer is performed correctly with complete concentration, it will have an enduring affect on the person, and his heart will be filled with remembrance of Allah. Once the prayer is complete one will be fearful as well as hopeful of Allah, in which he would not want to disobey Him. Allah says:

"Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds." (Qur’an 29:45)

Repeated standing before Allah prevents a person from performing sins during the day, and is a type of purification for one’s soul. Therefore it should be used as a time of repentance where the worshipper sincerely asks Allah for forgiveness of sins.

The Messenger of Allah asked his companions:

“If one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day. Would any filth remain on him?” They said, “No.” Then the Prophet replied: “Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the five daily prayers.”

3. Obligatory Charity/Almsgiving: Zakat

"And be steadfast in prayer; give Zakat; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship)." (Qur’an 2:43)

Since all things belong to God, wealth is held by mankind in trust. The original meaning of the word Zakat (the Arabic term) is both ‘purification’ and ‘growth.’ Our possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. The Prophet (peace be on him) said:

"God has made Zakat obligatory simply to purify your remaining property."

Charity is the third pillar of Islam prescribed by God. It is an obligation on every Muslim who possesses enough means, to distribute a certain percentage of their annual savings or capital in goods or money among the poor and the needy.

Below are some key points about Zakat:

• Zakat is a purification from selfishness and a greedy heart, encouraging sympathy towards the poor and needy. It is a regular reminder of the bounty that Allah has bestowed upon us and the need to be grateful, not arrogant nor boastful.

• A Muslim understands that everything they are given is a trust from Allah, knowing they are not spending from their own wealth but rather, spending from what Allah entrusted in their care. Viewed in this way, Zakat can be seen as a test for those who have been given wealth (that they spend in the way of Allah). Allah says: "He has raised some of you in ranks above others that He may test you in the gifts He has given you." (Qur’an 6:165)

• It bridges the gap between different socio-economic classes and groups and is a type of social security, however, unlike government tax; it is not given to anyone except those deemed to be in need. This charity reduces poverty and ensures equality by making it obligatory upon the rich to share some of their wealth with the less fortunate.

• A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as additional voluntary charity

Muslims believe that the laws decreed by Allah are for the ultimate good of mankind. Since these laws are in themselves perfect, the closer that we can observe these laws, the closer that we will be to perfection. Therefore, if every Muslim in the world were to do their duty and act upon this pillar, there would be far less poverty in the world.

4. Fasting (Siyaam):

"Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety." [Qur’an 2:183]

Every year during the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from three primal physical needs of human beings - food, drink, and sexual relations.

Fasting is obligatory on every adult, physically and mentally capable Muslim. There are some exceptions for those required to fast such as children, the sick, the mentally unhealthy, the elderly, menstruating women, and travelers.

Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification.  By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.

5. Pilgrimage (Hajj):

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)” [Qur’an 3:97]

Pilgrimage to the sacred house of Allah (Mecca) must be done once in lifetime, if they can afford the expenses and if they can handle the travel. It involves following in the footsteps of the Prophet when he performed pilgrimage, and it is a journey full of emotion requiring a lot of patience and endurance.

Performing the pilgrimage is a temporary suspension of all worldly activities. It is a time for one to reflect, worship, and seek the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah. It is a time to bring the people together as one. Muslims of every race and ethnicity come together and worship the One true God without any hatred in their hearts. Pilgrims all wear the same simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before God.

A person gives up their time and their life to make this pilgrimage, and to experience it is like experiencing nothing else in this world. It humbles a person, it makes them more patient, more thankful and they see that they take so much of what they have been given for granted.

Conclusion:

The five pillars of Islam have been prescribed by God, and a condition of being a Muslim is to believe and act according to the five pillars. The pillars are practical, they have been made easy for the Muslim, yet the blessings behind them are manifold. Allah has set certain conditions on each pillar, and for those who are in need or are unable to perform some – or the full – obligatory duties, then Allah has eased their situation by making some concessions.

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