Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of a Muslim’s 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.

1) The Testimony of Faith:

The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” This saying means “There is no true god but God (Allah), and Muhammad ﷺ 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.

2) Prayer:

Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God. There are no intermediaries between God and the worshipper.

In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her. The Prophet Muhammad  ﷺ said: { Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be comforted by it. }Bilal was one of Muhammad’s ﷺ   companions who was charged to call the people to prayers.

Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. A Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities.

3) Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy):

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.

4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan:

Every year in the month of Ramadan,1 Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. 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.

5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah:

The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About two million people go to Makkah each year from

(1) The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (which is lunar, not solar).every corner of the globe. Although Makkah 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.

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 Arafa1 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.

Muslim Prayer

HOW A MUSLIM PRAYS TO GOD"

Islam lays great stress upon Divine worship. Indeed it is regarded as the purpose of man's creation. 

The object of worship is to strengthen man's relationship with Allah. 

Allah says in Holy Qur'an:

"Call on Me,  I will respond to you." (40:61) 

In Islam, it is a great sin to worship any other besides Allah. 

Islamic worship may be may be divided into two categories:

1: Formal worship such as Prayer Services, Pilgrimage to the House of Allah, Zak-at and Fasting. 

2: Informal worship such as remembrance of Allah, called "Zikr".

I

slam prescribes five daily prayer, called 'Salat' at appointed times. They are as follows:   

1: Fajr Prayer....At Dawn

2: Zuhr Prayer....At Noon

3: Asr Prayer....In the Afternoon

4: Maghrib Prayer....After Sunset

5: Isha Prayer....In the Evening

On Fridays there is a special Prayer called 'Salat-ul-Jumma', which is performed in the place of Zuhr Praye. In this Prayer the Imam delivers a sermon before the Prayer. Although a Muslim may say his Prayers anywhere.  

Before each Prayer, Azan is called. The one who calls out the Azan is called a 'Muezzin'. He stands on a raised plate form or on a minaret, with his face towards the Kaaba and makes the announcement, the translation of  which is as follows:

"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship save Allah

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship save Allah 

I bear witness that Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is the Messenger of Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is the Messenger of Allah

Come to Prayer, Come to Prayer

Come to Success, Come to Success

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

There is none worthy of  worship save Allah"

Hearing this call a Muslim leaves his work and comes to the mosque. 

Fasting is another  form of worship. A Fast means abstention from drink and food from dawn to sunset for the pleasure of God. 

Another form of worship is known as Zakat. It is a compulsory levy imposed on certain types of possessions and wealth The proceeds of Zakat are distributed among the poorer sections of the community.  

Hajj, or the Pilgrimage to Mecca is another form of Islamic worship. It is obligatory upon all Muslims who can afford the journey to perform Hajj  once in their life-time. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from all parts of the world gather at Mecca to to perform this worship every year, during the prescribed days. 

There are two great festivals in Islam. One is called 'Eid-ul-Fitr'. The second festival is called 'Eid-ul-Adha.     

"PILLARS OF ISLAM"

Islam is the religion that preaches the Oneness of God, the Oneness of mankind and the Oneness of the Message. 

Islam is a way of life based on the guidance of God given in the book of God  and the examples of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) of God. Islam literally means "Submission" (to the One true God).  

Islam is the greatest true religion on earth.

"PILLARS OF ISLAM"

The pillars of Islam refer to the principles and acts on which the edifice of Islam is standing. 

The pillars of Islam are five.  

1 Faith:

The statement that, there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is the messenger of Allah.

2 Salat:

Five daily obligatory prayers. 

3 Fasting:

Fasting of Ramadan

4 Zakat:

Yearly obligatory charity based upon your wealth given to the poor of the Muslim community

  

5 Hajj:

Pilgrimage to Makkah made in the month of Dhul-Hijjah.