Five Pillars of Islam
Faith without action and practice is a dead end, as far as Islam is concerned. Faith by nature is very sensitive and can be most effective. When it is out of practice or out of use, it quickly loses its liveliness and motivation power.
There are five Pillars of Islam:
1. The declaration of faith: To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger to all human beings till the Day of judgement. The prophethood of Muhammad obliges the Muslim to follow his exemplary life as a model.
2. Prayers: Daily prayers are offered five times a day as a duty towards Allah. They strengthen and enliven the belief in Allah and inspire man to a higher morality. They purify the heart and prevent temptation towards wrong-doings and evils.
3. Fasting the month of Ramadan: The Muslim during the month of Ramadan not only abstain from food drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset but also from evil intentions and desires. It teaches love, sincerity and devotion. It develops a sound social conscience, patience, unselfishness and will-power.
4. Zakah: The literal and simple meaning of Zakah is purity. The technical meaning of this word designates the annual amount in kind or coin which a muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. But the religious and spiritual significance of Zakah is much deeper and more lively. So it has humanitarian and sociopolitical value.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca): It is to be performed once in a lifetime, if one can afford it financially and physically.