JJ_Pillars_of_Islam

PILLARS OF ISLAM

Every sound structure must have a solid foundation in order to remain strong. Islam’s foundation is the five pillars it was built upon, forming the basis of Islamic teaching as taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), wherein he said:

Islam is built upon five pillars:

  1. Shahadah
  2. Salah
  3. Sawn
  4. Zakah
  5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

These five pillars are a cornerstone of a Muslim’s life.

1. Declaration of Faith - SHAHADAH

The declaration or announcement of faith is bearing witness (testifying) that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah (God), and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Servant and Messenger. It must be based on a sincere and firm belief in the heart, as well as being uttered verbally. In Arabic it is:

LA ILAHA ILLA-LAH MUHAMMAD UR RASULULLAH

The first part of the declaration implies that:

No person, object or being has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone.

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

Allah alone has perfect attributes and is free from all deficiencies.

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

The second part of the declaration is that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Allah’s Servant and final Messenger. He is the final Prophet in a long chain of Prophets sent to call the people to the obedience and worship of Allah alone. He taught us complete Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent with the Qur’an (the final revelation), in order to teach the people Allah’s message, and serve as an example for all to follow. We believe in what Muhammad (SAW) has taught us about Allah(SWT), and we believe in the Quran that he received from Allah (SWT).

Some benefits of the Declaration of Faith:

Complete surrender to the will of Allah and becoming His true servant and subject.

Produces a high degree of self-respect and confidence, while also remaining humble and modest.

Produces strong determination, patience and perseverance, making a person brave and courageous, as well as dutiful and upright.

Makes a person obey and observe Allah’s commands.

2. The Prayer - SALAH

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

Salah is the second pillar of Islam and is done five times every day. The five daily prayers form the most important ritual of worship in a Muslim’s life. They are as follows:

FAJR: Early morning after dawn and before sunrise

DHUHR: Early afternoon

ASR: Late afternoon

MAGHRIB: Right after sunset

ISHA: Night time when it's dark

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Prayer is a pillar of the religion (Islam). Whoever establishes it, establishes religion; and whoever destroys it (e.g. neglects it), destroys religion.”

Prayer establishes a personal and spiritual connection between the Muslim and his Creator, based on faith, love, hope and reverence. When prayer is performed correctly with complete concentration, humility and sincerity, it will have an enduring effect on the person, filling his heart with contentment, peace and closeness with Allah.

Prayer is the center of a Muslim’s life and the best way to achieve submission to Allah. It can be offered almost anywhere clean: such as in fields, offices, factories or universities; and takes only a few minutes to perform. It consists of recitation from the Holy Qur’an, supplicating to and praising Allah, with various body postures such as standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting. Through prayer, the Muslim remembers the greatness of his Creator and supplicates to Him for his needs and wishes.

Prayer is also an opportunity for repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah. Salatul Jumuah, on Fridays and the two Eid prayers, Eid ul fitr and Eid ul adha must be done in congregation (meaning together in a group).

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 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 replied, “No.” Then the Prophet added, “Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the five daily prayers.”

3. Fasting - SAWM

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

SAWM is the third pillar of Islam. As with any act of worship, fasting requires obedience and submission to Allah’s commands through the highest degree of commitment and sincerity. Every year during the month of Ramadan (9th month of the lunar calendar), Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset. As fasting starts from dawn, we may eat a meal before dawn. This is known as SUHOOR. Breaking fast at sunset is known as Iftar. Every night in the month of Ramadan a special Salah is performed after ISHA known as TARAWIH prayers. Tarawih can be done individually at home or at the masjid.

Fasting brings us closer to Allah(SWT). It is not just going hungry, but also we should stay away from all the bad actions. Fasting shows us ways to worship Allah (SWT).

Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory on every physically and mentally capable adult Muslim. The sick, people who are travelling may skip fasting but they have to make up for the missed fasts later.

Ramadan is a month to receive more blessings,mercy and forgiveness from Allah(SWT). It is a month in which some verses of Quran were revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad(SAW) through Angel Jibril (AS) for the first time. The last ten days of this month has a special night known as Laylat ul qadr or the night of power. The reward of praying in this night is as if you have prayed for a thousand months.

Some benefits of fasting:

  1. Promotes spiritual self-purification and growth.
  2. Scientifically proven health benefits.
  3. Sympathy for those less fortunate, prompting more charity.
  4. A means of learning self-restraint and patience.
  5. Purifies the soul and helps it acquire the habit of obeying Allah by restraining desires, and promotes steadfastness.
  6. Creates an increased feeling of unity and collective identity amongst those fasting.
  7. Creates an increased awareness about the state of affairs across the globe and the hardships endured.
  8. Forgiveness of sins. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “He who fasts Ramadan, with faith and hoping for reward (from Allah), then his past sins are forgiven.”

4. The Prescribed Charity - ZAKAH

“Those who establish the prayer (salah) and give the charity (zakah) … these are the ones who will prosper.”Qur’an 31:4-5

Zakah is the fourth pillar of Islam.It is important duty for those Muslims who have enough money to give Zakah. All things belong to Allah, including wealth, which is considered as a trust. The prescribed charity (zakah) is an obligation on every Muslim who meets certain criteria (e.g. attained maturity, is sane, has wealth above a certain threshold). A mere 2.5% of wealth must be paid annually to those who are eligible, as prescribed in the Qur’an (e.g. the poor and needy).

The Prophet (peace be on him) said: “Allah has made zakah obligatory simply to purify your remaining wealth.” People pay Zakah to purify their wealth.

The meaning of the word “zakah”, is both ‘purification’ and ‘growth’. This is similar to the pruning of plants, whereby regularly trimming provides balance and encourages growth. By fulfilling this obligation, Muslims purify their remaining wealth, as well as ensure both financial and spiritual growth.

Some benefits of zakah:

  1. Purifies one from selfishness, arrogance and a greedy heart.
  2. Trains one to be sympathetic and compassionate towards the poor and needy.
  3. Reminds one of the blessings from Allah and encourages one to be grateful.
  4. Bridges the gap rich and poor and is a form of social security.
  5. Reduces poverty and ensures equality by making it obligatory upon the rich to share some of their wealth with the less fortunate “...so that this (wealth) may not circulate solely among the rich from among you.” Qur’an 59:

Zakah is a kind of charity that is given to the needy and is COMPULSORY.

Sadaqah is another kind of charity which is VOLUNTARY.

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 transportation, provision and residence).”Qur’an 3:97

HAJJ is the fifth pillar of Islam.

Hajj or Pilgrimage to the Holy city of Makkah (in Saudi Arabia) must be performed at least once in a person’s life, if they are physically and financially capable.

Performing the pilgrimage is a temporary suspension of all worldly activities, and is a time for one to reflect, worship, seek the forgiveness of Allah and attain His closeness.

The Pilgrimage is an annual event in the 12th month of the lunar calendar (Dhul-Hijjah in Arabic), which unifies people of every color, race, status and age, as they join in worship of the One True God. All pilgrims wear simple and similar clothing, which strips away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before Allah. Men wear two pieces of unstitched white cloth known as IHRAM.

When pilgrims reach Makkah they walk around Kabah seven times. This is called TAWAF. After Tawaf pilgrims walk seven times between Mount SAFA and MARWAH which is called SAEE. Then all the pilgrims go to MINA on8th dhul hajj and spend the night there. This place has thousands of tents for the pilgrims.

The next day on 9th dhul hajj all the pilgrims go to a place called ARAFAT.They stand there to pray to Allah(SWT). Later in the day they go to another place called MUZDALIFAH.

After spending the night in MUZDALIFAH, on 10th of dhul hajj the pilgrims travel back to MINA. There are three walls that represent Shaitan.People throw small stones at these walls.This is to remind people to give up all kinds of evil.Pilgrims then sacrifice an animal.

Muslims who cannot go to Hajj, also sacrifice an animal on 10 th dhul hajj. That day is known as EID UL ADHA.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not utter obscenities or commit sin, will come back just like the day when his mother bore him (i.e. pure of sins).”

Hajj involves following in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (AS),as taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them). This great act of worship consists of many components including sacrificing an animal, supplicating, visiting and praying at various sites, circling the Ka’bah, walking between two mountains, as well as many other rituals, all of which are performed over a period of 6 continuous days.

Such an experience is life-altering and humbles a person, making them more patient and thankful to Allah. Brotherhood is increased, as is the sense that all Muslims, regardless of their differences, are one nation.

Conclusion

The five pillars of Islam have been prescribed by Allah, and a Muslim is required to believe and act according to them. They are practical as well as easy, and the blessings and wisdom behind them are manifold. When put into perspective, they contribute to the well being of both the individual and the society, enhancing the character and manners of the individual, and making both society and individuals accountable and closer to Allah.

These noble pillars of Islam are purely for the benefit of His creation, as Allah (Glory be to Him!) is free of all needs. These five pillars provide the solid structure and ‘training program’ for the betterment and success of all humanity.