The pillars of Islam
Islam has five main pillars which a Muslim must fulfill in order to be a true Muslim. They are:
a. First Pillar: The testimony that there is no god worthy of worship, but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
It is the first word to be pronounced by a person embracing Islam. He should say: “I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship, but Allah and that Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of Allah” believing in all its meanings, which we have explained above.
He should believe that Allah is the One and Only God Who did not beget and was not begotten, and there is none like unto Him; that He is the Creator and everything else is created; and that He alone is the God worthy of being worshiped, and there is no god or lord but Him. He should also believe that Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of Allah, to whom the revelation came down from heaven, conveying Allah’s commands and prohibitions; and that we should believe him in whatever he reported and obey him in what he commanded or prohibited.
b. Second Pillar: Establishing prayer
In prayer, the features of servitude and submission to Allah Almighty are manifest. A servant stands humble, reciting verses from the Qur’an and extols his Lord by different kinds of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and praise. He bows down and prostrates himself to the Creator, privately invoking Him and asking from His great bounty. So, prayer is a link between a servant and his Lord Who created him and knows his secret and open matters. Prayer wins one the love, nearness, and pleasure of Allah Almighty. Whoever abandons it out of arrogance incurs the wrath and curse of Allah and becomes an apostate.
The obligatory prayers are five every day, comprising standing and the recitation of Surat al-Fātihah:{In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You are alone we worship, and You are alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have blessed; not of those who incurred Your Wrath, or of those who went astray.}[Surat al-Fātihah: 1-7]In addition to reciting some other verses from the Qur’an, as well as bowing down, prostrating, supplicating, making Takbīr by saying: “Allāhu Akbar” (Allah is the Most Great), exalting Allah in bowing by saying: “Subhāna Rabbi al-‘Azhīm” (Glory be to my Lord, the Majestic), and in prostration by saying: “Subhāna Rabbi al-A‘la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
Before performing prayer, a Muslim should be free from impurities (urine and excrement) in his body, clothes, and the place of prayer. He should make ablution with water, washing his face and hands and wiping over his head and then washing his feet.
If he is ritually impure (due to sexual intercourse), he should take a bath, washing his whole body.
c. Third Pillar: Zakah
It is a specific percentage – 2.5% of capital assets – which Allah Almighty ordained on the rich to be given to the poor and needy and all those who are entitled to it in the community. It aims at fulfilling people’s needs and ending their poverty.
This pillar is a cause of spreading social solidarity in the society and fostering love, friendliness, and cooperation among its members. It helps eliminate hatred and rancor felt by the poor and the underprivileged towards the rich and wealthy. It also plays a key role in the growth and prosperity of economy and the movement of money in a right way, thus reaching all sections of the society. Zakah is due on properties of all kinds:
money, cattle, fruits, grains, goods, etc. There are different percentages on capital assets of each kind.
d. Fourth Pillar: Fasting the month of Ramadān
Fasting is to abstain from eating, drinking, and having sexual intercourse with wives from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Allah.
Ramadān, in which fasting is due, is the ninth lunar month. It is also the month in which the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) started.
Allah Almighty says:{Ramadān is a month in which the Qur’an was sent down as a guidance for mankind and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So, whoever of you witnesses this month, should fast.}[Surat al-Baqarah: 185]Among the great benefits of fasting is being accustomed to patience and boosting one’s piety and faith in the heart. This is because fasting is a secret between a servant and his Lord. When one is alone, he can eat and drink without anyone knowing about it. So, when he refrains from that in worship and obedience to Allah Almighty alone, with no partner, knowing that only Allah watches over this act of worship, this increases his faith and sense of heedfulness. That is why the reward of the fasting people will be great. There is even a special gate in Paradise for them, called Ar-Rayyān.Outside Ramadān, a Muslim can observe voluntary fasting any day throughout the year, except for the two days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad- ha.[Surat al-Baqarah: 185]
Among the great benefits of fasting is being accustomed to patience and boosting one’s piety and faith in the heart. This is because fasting is a secret between a servant and his Lord. When one is alone, he can eat and drink without anyone knowing about it. So, when he refrains from that in worship and obedience to Allah Almighty alone, with no partner, knowing that only Allah watches over this act of worship, this increases his faith and sense of heedfulness. That is why the reward of the fasting people will be great. There is even a special gate in Paradise for them, called Ar-Rayyān.
Outside Ramadān, a Muslim can observe voluntary fasting any day throughout the year, except for the two days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad-ha.
e. Fifth Pillar: Performing Hajj
It is obligatory upon a Muslim to perform Hajj once in a lifetime. He can do more than that voluntarily. Allah Almighty says:{Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah upon all people who are able to make their way to it}[Surat Ᾱl ‘Imrān: 97]To perform Hajj, a Muslim travel to the designated places of the rituals in Makkah during the month of Hajj, namely the last Hijri lunar month. Before entering Makkah, he has to take off his usual clothes and wear the clothing of Ihrām (ritual state of consecration), two white garments.
Then, the pilgrim performs different rituals of Hajj, such as Tawāf (circumambulation) around the Ka‘bah, Sa‘y (walking) between Safa and Marwah, standing at ‘Arafah, and spending the night at Muzdalifah.
Hajj is the biggest gathering of Muslims on earth, where the spirit of brotherliness, mercy, and sincerity prevails among them. Their clothing is the same, and so are their rituals. There is no superiority for one over another except in terms of piety. The reward of Hajj is great as stated by the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him):“Whoever performs Hajj without having sexual intercourse or committing sins will come out of his sins like the day he was born.” [4]
“Whoever performs Hajj without having sexual intercourse or committing sins will come out of his sins like the day he was born.” 4
4 Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2/164) in the Book of Hajj, Chapter: merit of the accepted Hajj
About The Author
