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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.
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),*1 and Muhammad (PBUH) 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 (as explained previously
on this page). 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 (PBUH) said: {Bilal, call
(the people) to prayer, let us be comforted by it.}*2 Bilal was one of
Muhammad (PBUH)’s 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,*3 all 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) HAJJ: 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 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.
Pilgrims praying at the Haram mosque in Makkah. In this mosque is the Kaaba
(the black building in the picture) which Muslims turn toward when praying.
The Kaaba is the place of worship which God commanded the Prophets Abraham
and his son, Ishmael, to build.
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*4 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-Azha, 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.
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* Footnotes :
(1) Allah means GOD.
(2) Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #4985, and Mosnad Ahmad, #22578.
(3) The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (which
is lunar, not solar).
(4) An area about 15 miles from Makkah. |
