Five Pillars of Islam
1. Proclamation
2. Prayers
3. Fasting
4. Zakat
5. Hajj more..
Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of the Muslim life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able.
A Muslim who fulfills the Five Pillars of Islam, remains in the faith of Islam, and sincerely repents of his sins, will make it to Jannah (paradise). If he performs the Five Pillars but does not remain in the faith, he will not be saved.
1. Proclamation (Shahada)
The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah."
This saying means "There is no true god (deity) 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. This testimony of faith is called the Shahada,
a simple formula which should be said with conviction in order to convert to Islam.
The testimony of faith is the most important pillar of Islam.
Muhammad is the true and greatest prophet of Allah and recognition of Muhammad as the Prophet of God
is required. It was through Muhammad that Allah conveyed the last and final revelation.
2. Prayer (Salat)
Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform.
The first prayer is at dawn and the last at sunset. The names of the prayers are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha.
The Maghrib prayer is the sunset prayer. Isha is the prayer that is said after sunset.
There is also a prayer that is said right after Fajr known as Shurooq. A Muslim may pray almost
anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities.
Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God. There are no intermediaries between
God and the worshipper. Prayer involves confession of sins which begins with the purification of
the body and ends with the purification of the soul.
In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her.
The Prophet Muhammad said: {Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be comforted by it.}
Bilal was one of Muhammad's companions who was charged to call the people to prayers.
(For detailed information on how to perform prayer, please refer to the links at How to Perform Prayer or refer to the book entitled A Guide to Salat (Prayer) by M. A. K. Saqib.)
3. Fasting (Saum)
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown. It is an act of worship
where the faithful follower denies his own needs and seeks Allah. Usually, this fasting entails no
drinking, eating, or sexual relations during the daylight hours for the entire month of Ramadan.
Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual
self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting
person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.
4. Alms-giving or charity (Zakat)
All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The original meaning
of the word zakat is both 'purification' and 'growth.' Giving zakat means 'giving a specified percentage
on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.' The percentage which is due on gold, silver,
and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for one lunar
year is two and a half percent. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those
in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.
A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as voluntary alms or charity.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically
and financially able to perform it. About two million people go to Mecca each year from every corner of
the globe. Although Mecca is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth
month of the Islamic calendar.
Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that
all stand equal before God. Muslims must make the pilgrimage the first half of the last month of the
lunar year.
The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between
the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together
in Arafa and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview
of the Day of Judgment.
The end of the Hajj is marked by a festival, Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers.
This, and Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the two annual festivals
of the Muslim calendar.
said: {Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be comforted by it.}
Bilal was one of Muhammad's