An Overview of the Five Pillars of Islam
By Tariq Aljadidi
In the name of Allah to most compassionate the most merciful
As the Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon Him (PBUH) said "Islam is based on five".
The Pillars are as follow;
1. Shahadah - Testimony of faith
The Shahadah is to testify witness and affirm that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. This means that we only obey; worship Allah, as well as only seeking help from Allah. We have no idols, objects, animals, humans, etc... Besides Allah.
Note: Allah may forgive all sins apart from association (Associating partner along side Allah)
The next part of the Shahadah is to testify witness and affirm that Mohammed is the prophet of Allah. This statement ensures that Muslims do not elevate Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon Him (PBUH) to more that a prophet, like other religions.
2. Salah - Prayer
Allah (SWT) command us in various places is the holy Quran to establish prayer. And Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon Him (PBUH) said "pray as you have seen me pray". Muslims prayer five times a day from dawn till Dawn. By praying 5 times a day we a keeping a connection with Allah throughout the day and as Allah says "Indeed prayer keeps us away from Mischief and Evil" along with a warning Ah, woe unto worshippers - Who are heedless of their prayer; verse 4-5 Surah Al Maun.
Salah is the second most important pillar after the Shahadah. On the day of judgement Allah (SWT) will look at our prayers and if there are any short falls will then look at other deeds so that he can grant us Jennah (Heaven). We must ensure we pray the five obligatory prayer and offer additional prayers (Sunnah) to make up for any short falls.
3. Zakat - Charity
Allah (SWT) has command us to give alms/charity to the poor this is 2.5% of excess wealth. This will ensure no one in the community as a whole live in poverty. If all Muslims were to pay Zakat then poverty would not exist. This is from Allah wisdom. It is a Muslims duty to look after those less fortunate than themselves.
4. Sawn - Fasting
Muslims fast the holy month of Ramadhan, from dawn to dusk. Allah say in Surat Al Baqarah verses 183- 184”
O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint.― (183) (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free-will ―it is better for him, and it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. (184)".
By fasting we do not only restrain from eating and drinking but smoking, back biting, cheating, lying etc... So that we attain taqwah (God consciousness)
Taqwah is to be aware of your actions and to ensure you have the correct intention (all we do is to please Allah and in accordance to the Quran and the Sunnah (the ways and sayings on the Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon Him (PBUH) along with this, is to fear Allah this will keep us away from evil as we are aware that Allah is watching us and that we will be accountable for our action
During this blessed month the gate of heaven are open and the gates to hell are closed with the devil (Shaytan) chained in it, so that he is unable to cause mischief. Lesson should be learnt from Ramadhan and the good deeds that was perform and the bad deeds that we restrained from carried forward through out the years.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Hajj is to make the pilgrimage to Makkah if you are able to. This is to follow in the foot steps of our prophet Ibrahim (AS). This is a very important pillar as if performed correctly all our sin will be forgiven as if we are a new born baby. We dedicate the whole time to Allah during the pilgrimage in worship, Quran, remembering Allah and asking for forgiveness.
This if a very emotional journey and Muslims look forward to making the pilgrimage as this was the place also known as the house of Allah and we all face forward Makkah 5 times a day the offer Salah. Makkah is the holiest of sites for Muslims and prayer offered at Makkah are multiplied 100 thousand times.
All that is right is from Allah and anything that is wrong is from me