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Five Pillars of Islam
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The five pillars of Islam act as a base upon which a Muslim can build their life. These are:
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| Tawheed (Belief in one god) |
| Salah (The ritual prayer of Islam) |
| Zakah (Mandatory Charity) |
| Fasting (In holy month of Ramadhan) |
| Hajj (Pilgramage to Mecca) |
Tawheed (Belief in one god)
Literally Tawheed means "unification" (making something one) or "asserting oneness", and it comes from the Arabic verb (wahhada) which itself means to unite, unify or consolidate. However, when the term Tawheed is used in reference to Allaah, it means the realising and maintaining of Allaah's unity in all of man's actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him. It is the belief that Allaah is One, without partner in His dominion and His actions (Ruboobeeyah), One without similitude in His essence and attributes (Asmaa wa Sifaat), and One without rival in His divinity and in worship (Ulooheeyah/'Ebaadah). These three aspects form the basis for the categories into which the science of Tawheed has been traditionally divided. The three overlap and are inseparable to such a degree that whoever omits any one aspect has failed to complete the requirements of Tawheed. The omission of any of the above mentioned aspects of Tawheed is referred to as "Shirk" (lit. sharing); the association of partners with Allaah, which, in Islamic terms, is in fact idolatry.
The three categories of Tawheed are commonly referred to by the following titles:
1. Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah (lit. "Maintaining the Unity of Lordship")
2. Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (lit. "Maintaining the Unity of Allaah's Names and Attributes")
3. Tawheed al-'Ebaadah (lit. "Maintaining the Unity of Allaah's Worship") |
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Salah (The ritual prayer of Islam)
If a person really believes in Allah (God), how will he show it? And how will it affect his life?
For a Muslim, his faith is first demonstrated by the five daily ritual Prayers called Salah. These Prayers are obligatory for all, and they are the first thing the Muslim will be asked about on Judgment Day.
Five times a day a Muslim is asked to stop whatever he is doing - be it sleep, work, or play - and make a ritual ablution before facing his Lord in Prayer. No matter what his actions, the most important thing to a Muslim is his relationship with Allah. This relationship is demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by the ritual Prayers. Only if the Prayers are sound and proper will the deeds be sound and proper.
In the Prayer, the Muslim faces towards the Ka'bah in Makkah, the symbol of the Oneness of Allah and the unity of Muslims. He stands, bows, and prostrates to his Lord while praising Him, reciting some of the words He revealed in the Qur'an, and asking for His forgiveness and mercy. In doing so, the Muslim reminds himself of his position in the universe as a humble servant of Allah and of his total dependence on his Creator, Cherisher and Sustainer. |
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Zakah (Mandatory Charity)
Zakah is a portion of one's wealth that must be given to the poor or to other specified causes. The word "zakah" comes from the verb meaning to purify or cleanse. It is the third Pillar of Islam and is obligatory for all those who are financially able.
Zakah means the giving of a specific share of one's wealth and savings to persons or causes that Allah (God) mentions in the Qur'an. The normal share to be paid is two and a half percent of one's saved earnings. This applies to cash, bank savings and jewelery. The rate for cattle and agricultural produce is different. The Qur'an mentions zakah, together with salah (ritual Prayer), as a form of worship; and in that respect it differs from ordinary charity, which is optional, and from tax, which a government imposes from time to time at variable rates and for various uses. The money from zakah can be used only for specific purposes under fixed headings - like helping the poor, the needy, to pay the salaries of those collecting it, to free captives and debtors, for travelers in need, to win over hearts and for the cause of Allah (God) (Qur'an 9: 60) |
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Fasting (In holy month of Ramadhan)
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important acts of worship. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or other times, a Muslim draws closer to his Lord by abandoning the things he enjoys, such as food, drink and sexual intercourse. This makes the sincerity of his faith and his devotion to Allah (God) all the more evident. The believer knows that Allah will love him when he is ready to abandon worldly comforts for Allah's sake.
When fasting we gain taqwa, which can be called the care taken by a person to do everything Allah has commanded and to keep away from everything He has forbidden. Fasting helps prevent many sins and is a shield with which the Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire.
Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and fighting. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behavior.
Fasting also inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together. |
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Hajj (Pilgramage to Mecca)
God has favored Islam as the last Testament with Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to be the Islamic form of monasticism when a set period of time is devoted by the pilgrims' rituals and performance to the task of freeing minds and hearts from all worldly concerns. The pilgrim seeks to pursue a unique form of collective worship of Allah and seeks closeness to Him in the one and only location chosen by Him.
If the pilgrim understands where Hajj really stands in Islam, he will notice in himself a process of spiritual transformation through the rituals. Every step of Hajj serves as a reminder, a sign of submission to Allah, an instructive tool for self discipline and piety, and an exhortation to the faithful aspirant.
As Hajj provides every pilgrim with tranquility of heart, inner purity, and fullness of understanding of his existence in the cosmos, every single step should recall the ideas of the creation, glory of divine transcendence, and the unity of the believers that crosses boundaries and ethnic and gender diversities. In the heart of every aspect of Hajj is some reflection signifying the Hereafter.
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