8.10.2013

The Five Pillars of Islam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful”


السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ


As salaam alaykum ramatullahi wa barakthu "May the peace of Allah be upon you, and His mercy and blessings"



Dear friends, 

Today I would like to introduce you about five pillars of Islam. This is mainly functional pillars. We have already discussed the 6 pillars of faith in Islam separately in other post. Please have look at that after reading this post. I would like to give you more explanation about these five pillars separately later. Hope you will understand and enjoy this. Please include me in your prayer.

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:
  • Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam- SAW)
  • Establishment of the daily prayers (5 times compulsory prayer)
  • Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
  • Self-purification through fasting; and
  • The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

1) Shahadah (Iman or Faith)

The first pillar of Islam is to believe and declare the oneness of Allah and prophethood of Muahmmed (SAW)
“Ash hadu anllahilaha illallahu wa ash hadu anna muhmmedarrasoolullah” (“There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God.") This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. 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.
Important thing here we have to consider that, firstly believe the above creed in your mind deeply and strongly and then secondly clearly say by your tongue.
It mainly involves mind and no need for health, wealth or sacrifice etc. This is the basic and most important pillar. One who dies with last word and believes as “Ash hadu anllahilaha illallahu wa ash hadu anna muhmmedarrasoolullah” (“There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God."), he/she will be in heaven. No question about that even if he/she did not do other pillars of Islam (but he has to believe correctly about other pillars of Islam). 


2) Salath or Prayer


Prayer is the second pillar. Salath is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. The world's Muslims turn individually and collectively to Kaaba, The first mosque of Allah on the earth, to offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. In addition, Friday congregational prayer (instead of noon prayer in Friday for men only) is also required. Although Salath can he performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims Men perform prayer in a mosque. For women it is better to pray in their home in which room is more private for her. The main thing is that the place where we are doing prayer should be cleaned and free from dirty things.
It is compulsory to do prayer by all Muslims who are matured (achieved puberty), intellectually sound and free from all physical dirtiness (means free from menstruation etc).
There are some voluntary prayers which are called sunnath salath.


3) Zakath (The financial obligation upon Muslims.)


Almsgiving is the third pillar. An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakath means”purification". Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need which are clearly specified by Islam. So it is not the favour of any giver but it is the right of the needy people as per Islamic rule.
There are two Zakath. One is Zakath of Wealth and another one is Zakath of health or Zkathul fitr.  Zakath of Wealth has to be paid by those who has money or ornaments (which are not using) equivalent to 595 gram silver in a year. 2.5% is the rate applied for Zakath. Some food grains, resin and dates also we needto pay Zakath. (detailed description already in the blog)
Zakathul Fitr is another Zakath which is obligatory to most of the Muslims.  2800 kg food is the normal Zakath which has to provide after completing Ramadan fasting for Eid. (Detailed description already in the blog)
An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h, and does so preferably in secret.
 Although this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning. 
The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet  replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity." 


4) Sawm or Fasting


Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sunset abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sex etc.
 Those who are sick, elderly, or on a long journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and  make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.
Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. God states in the Qur'an:  "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183)

5) Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah


The pilgrimage to Makkah (the hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless, over two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another.
 The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajira, Abraham's wife) during her search for water. The pilgrims later stand together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought as a preview of the Day of Judgment.
The close of the hajj is marked by a festival, the 'Id al Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere.
Hajj involves mental, health, wealth and sacrifice. The total involvements of all other 4 pillars of Islam



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