Home Page
Back to Index

Introduction of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam

Introduction

Top

To be a Muslim and remain in Islam one has to observe the five pillars of Islam. They are the core of faith (Iman). In Islam the faith has to be demonstrated in three ways, first he has to fully believe in it without compulsion, secondly he has to declare it, thirdly he has to practice it.  The five pillars are Shahada, Prayer, Charity (Zakat), Fast, Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Shahada (Faith)

Top

There is no God worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the "Shahada", a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa'Llah - 'there is no God except Allah'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - Wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa'Llah' except Allah, the source of all creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasul Allah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of Allah'.

Prayer

Top

Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshiper and Allah. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, and universities. If the Muslim is travelling or sick, he is allowed to pray while sitting or sleeping. 

Charity (Zakat)

Top

Zakat in Islam is a method of wealth re-distribution. Zakat makes wealth circulate in the body of the nation as the heart does to blood in the body of the individual. In many instances in the Holy Quran, Prayer and Zakat are mentioned together. The word zakat means both `purification' and `growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Charity in Islam is two types: voluntary and obligatory. A Muslim should pay a certain percentage of his wealth every year; this is called zakat or poor-rate, which is obligatory charity.  Other than Zakat, any other money Muslim spent for the sake of Allah is voluntary charity (Sadaqa). All Muslims, rich or poor are encourage to do charity proportionally. 

According to certain conditions, a Muslim should annually pay 2.5% of his wealth: cash money, silver, gold, and articles of merchandise. In case of land produce, 10% is to be given if the land is naturally irrigated and 5% if artificially irrigated. He should also give a certain percentage of his cattle according to certain conditions.

Once collected annually, zakat is distributed to the poor, who are unable to work owing to some physical disabilities. Zakat is also given to the needy, who are in need of financial aid. Zakat is also given as salaries to those who collect it. Zakat is also spent to free Muslim captives. Zakat is also given to those who embrace Islam newly. Zakat is also given to people in debt. Zakat is also spent in defending and spreading Islam. Zakat is also given to wayfarers.

If we examine the ways of spending zakat, we find that they represent most of the people who need help such as the poor, the needy, captives, those in debt, and wayfarers. In fact, no other economic system gives financial aids to individuals in debt or to wayfarers as Islam does.

The Fast

Top

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations.

Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break their fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of 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 one's spiritual life.

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Top

The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj is an Abrahamic origin. Since prophet Abraham (PBUH) people come here and perform Hajj. But with due course of time the whole process of Hajj was distorted.

The Hajj - is the fifth obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about 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. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so the Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before Allah.

Every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform pilgrimage once in his life. Pilgrims from all countries and races meet there in obedience to Allah. They do not go to Makkah to enjoy natural scenes, because the area is mainly a desert. They go only to obey Allah and to perform pilgrimage, which strengthens the unity, equality, and brotherhood of all believers.

The rites of the Hajj  include circling the Ka'ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Abraham's wife) during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.