5 Pillars of Islam

5 PILLARS OF ISLAM (ARKAN AL ISLAM)

The 5 Pillars are the core beliefs and practices of Islam.

These are the foundation of Muslim life and Muslims are required to observe them with utmost devotion.

The 5 Pillars of Islam are the basic rules and framework of the Muslim life, which are considered mandatory.

PILLARS OF ISLAM

1. Shahadah

2. Salah

3. Zakah

4. Sawm

5. Hajj

IMPORTANCE

Carrying out these obligations provides the framework of a Muslim's life, and weaves their everyday activities and their beliefs into a single cloth of religious devotion.

No matter how sincerely a person may believe, Islam regards it as pointless to live life without putting that faith into action and practice.

PILLAR – 1 – SHAHADAH (TESTIMONY OF FAITH)

The Shahadah is the Muslim declaration of faith with conviction.

DECLARATION OF FAITH

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله

"La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasool Allah"

There is no true God but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God

The first part, "There is no true God but God," means that none has the right to be Worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.

The second part, "Muhammad is the Messenger of God," uses Muhammad as the prime example of guidance for all Muslims.

SIGNIFICANCE

The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Prophet, Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah upon Him).

PILLAR – 2 – SALAH (PRAYER)

The second Pillar in the Islamic faith, and an obligatory religious duty for every Muslim.

For a Muslim his prayer is his Spiritual diet.

It is a physical, mental, and spiritual act of worship that is observed 5 times every day at prescribed times, facing towards the Qibla in Makkah.

The word "salat" is used about 700 times in the Quran.

PURPOSE

Its purpose is to put ourselves in touch with God; to strengthen our relationship with Him; to be grateful for all His blessings; and to remind ourselves of His Greatness.

COMPONENTS

Each salah is made up of repeating units or cycles called Rakats which includes a number of specific movements and postures (Standing, Bowing, Prostration, Knee sitting) with the recitation of a certain amount of Quranic text and various traditional formulas in praise of God (takbir), all in Arabic.

TYPES

Prayers in Islam are classified into 4 categories based on degrees of obligation.

1. Fard

2. Wajib

3. Sunnat

4. Nafl

5 PRAYERS

1. Fajr (dawn, before sunrise)

2. Zuhr (early afternoon)

3. Asr (late afternoon)

4. Maghrib (just after sunset)

5. Isha (between sunset & midnight)

CONDITIONS FOR A SALAT

1. Taharah (Purification)

2. Niyyat (Intention)

3. Tahrima (To say Allahu Akbar)

4. Qiyam (Standing)

5. Qirat (Recitation of Quran)

6. Ruku (To bow)

7. Sajda (Prostration)

8. Qaida (Last sitting)

BENEFITS

- Shields against evil

- Promotes Taqwa

- Enriches the soul

- Makes us humble

- Washes away sins

- Cures our problems

- Unites the Muslims

PILLAR – 3 – ZAKAH (ALMS GIVING)

The Third Pillar of Islam is Zakat (almsgiving or charity). By following this pillar, Muslims have to deduct 2.5% amount of their savings on which 1 year has completed, to support the Islamic community.

The word zakat can be defined as purification and growth because it allows an individual to achieve balance and encourages new growth. Zakat is obligatory on Muslims who are able.

PRINCIPLES

1. The Zakat giver must declare to God his intention to give the zakat

2. Payment must be in kind.

3. The Zakat must be distributed in the community from which it was collected

The amount of zakat paid on capital assets (e.g. money) is 2.5% (1/40).

Zakat is additionally payable on agricultural goods, precious metals, minerals, and livestock at a rate varying between 2.5% and 20% (1/5), depending on the type of goods.

RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAT

1. (Al-Fuqara) - The Poor

2. (Al-Masakin) - The Needy

3. (Al-Amiliyn) - The Zakat Collectors

4. (Al-Muallafatu Qulubuhum) - Recent converts to Islam

5. (Fir-Riqab) - To free from Slavery

6. (Al-Ghārimīn) - Debtors

7. (Fi Sabilillah) - Cause of Allah

8. (Ibnu Al-Sabīl) - Wayfarers

Note - Zakat should not be given to one's own parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, spouses or the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.

PILLAR – 4 – SAWM (FASTING)

The Fourth Pillar of Islam is Sawm, or fasting. Fasting (obligatory) takes place during Ramadan, which is the holy month in the Islamic calendar (lunar calendar).

Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of Islam. Literally defined, fasting means to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan.

Sawm is directly stated in the Quran saying: “eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night…”.

PURPOSE

The purpose of fasting is to develop the quality of righteousness (taqwa), inwardly and outwardly, by abstaining from sinful deeds and training ourselves to control our thoughts and desires.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR FASTING

1. To be mentally and physically fit

2. To be of full age, the age of puberty

3. To be present at one's permanent settlement

FASTING (OTHER THAN RAMADAN)

- 6 Days in Shawwal

- Day of Ashura

- Day of Arafat

HEALTH BENEFITS

1. Detoxification of the body

2. Rapid weight loss

3. Regenerates immune cells

4. Improves insulin sensitivity

5. Prevents osteoporosis

PILLAR – 5 – HAJJ (PILGRIMAGE)

The Fifth Pillar of Islam is Hajj. During one’s life, a Muslim (whose health and finances permit) is required to make the pilgrimage to Makkah during the 12th month (Zul-Hijjah) of the lunar calendar.

Pilgrimage focuses on visiting the Kaaba and walking around it 7 times.

It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.

HISTORY

The Prophet Ibrahim was told by Allah to build a shrine dedicated to him. Ibrahim and Ismail constructed a small stone structure - the Kaaba - which was to be the gathering place for all who wished to strengthen their faith in Allah.

In the 10th year of Hijri, the Prophet Muhammed set out on a journey with 1400 of his followers. This was the first pilgrimage in Islam, and would re-establish the religious traditions of the Prophet Ibrahim.

RITES OF HAJJ

- Ihram - Wearing 2 white sheets of garment

- Tawaf - Circling the Kaaba 7 times

- Sa'yee - Going 7 times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa

- Stand together in Arafa and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness.

- Stoning the Devil

- Eid-ul-Adha

- Qurbani - Sacrifice

The end of the Hajj is marked by a festival, Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers.

SIGNIFICANCE

Hajj serves as a reminder of the Day of Judgment when Muslims believe people will stand before God.

Hajj brings together and unites the Muslims from different parts of the world irrespective of their race, colour, and culture, which acts as a symbol of equality.

TYPES OF HAJJ

1. Ifraad - Hajj only, without Umrah

2. Qiraan - Umrah & Hajj with single Ihram

3. Tamattu - Umrah & Hajj with two different Ihram

DAYS OF HAJJ

8th to 12th of Zul-Hijjah

FORBIDDEN

- Engaging in Sexual intercourse

- Cutting hair or nails

- Using scented oils

- Kill or hunt anything

- Fight or argue