The Five Pillars of Islam

Islam incorporates rules for every aspect of life. Within the Quran and the Hadiths there is instruction for every detail of a Muslims daily life. The Shariah the sacred law of Islam, applies to all aspects of life, not just religious practices. It describes the Islamic way of life, and prescribes the way for a Muslim to fulfill the commands of God and reach heaven. There are five major pillars of Islam which are the articles of faith, representing the framework of the Muslim life.These pillars are: the belief (Iman) in one God and that Muhammad is His messenger; prayer (Salah) which are prescribed five times a day; fasting (Siyam) which is required in the month of Ramadan; charity (Zakat) which is the poor-due on the wealth of the rich; hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if one can afford it physically and financially. The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic arkan ud-Din, "pillars of the faith") are five religious duties expected of every Muslim. The five pillars are mentioned individually throughout the Qur'an and Muhammad listed them together in the Hadith when he was asked to define Islam. Within a few decades of Muhammad's death, the five practices were singled out to serve as anchoring points in the Muslim community and designated "pillars." Fulfillment of the Five Pillars is believed to bring rewards both in this life and in the afterlife. The pillars are acknowledged and observed by all sects of Muslims, although Shi'ites add further obligatory duties, including: jihad, payment of the imam's tax, the encouragement of good deeds and the prevention of evil.

1.The Testimony of Faith:Shahadah

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 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 declaration of faith is called the shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce with conviction in order to convert to Islam. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and Muslims believe that this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Shahadah, profession of faith, is the first pillar of Islam. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam. The testimony of faith is the most important pillar of Islam.

2.Salat or 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. Salat (Prayer), in the sense of worship, is the second pillar of Islam. The requirement is to pray five times a day at fixed times. These five times are dawn (Fajr), immediately after noon (Dhuhr), mid-afternoon ('Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and early night (Isha'). Ritual cleanliness and ablution are required before prayer, as are clean clothes and location, and the removal of shoes. One may pray individually or communally, at home, outside, virtually any clean place, as well as in a mosque, though the latter is preferred. Each salat is performed facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. Salat is intended to focus the mind on Allah; it is seen as a personal communication with Allah, expressing gratitude and worship. According to the Qur'an, the benefit of prayer "restrains [one] from shameful and evil deeds". These five ritual prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications however, can be offered in one's own language and at any time. Special is the Friday noon prayer, called Jum'ah. It, too, is obligatory and is to be done in a mosque, in congregation. It is accompanied by a sermon (Khutbah), and it replaces the normal Dhuhr prayer. There is no hierarchical clerical authority in Islam, no priests or ministers. Prayers are led by any learned person who knows the Qur'an and is chosen by the congregation. He (or she, if the congregation is all women) is called the imam. There is also no minimum number of congregates required to hold communal prayers. Prayer consists of verses from the Qur'an and other prayers, accompanied by various bodily postures - standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting. They are said in Arabic, the language of the revelation, though personal supplications (Du'ah) can be offered in one's own language. Worshippers face the Qiblah, the direction of the Ka'bah in the city of Makkah. The significance of prayer lies in one's maintaining a continuous link to God five times a day, which helps the worshipper avoid misdeeds if he/she performs the prayers sincerely. In addition it promotes discipline, God-consciousness and placing one's trust in Allah alone, and the importance of striving for the Hereafter.

When performed in congregation it also provides a strong sense of community, equality and brotherhood/sisterhood. In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her. A translation of the Adan or Call to Prayer is: God is Great. God is Great. God is Great. God is Great. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God. I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God. I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God. Come to prayer! Come to prayer! Come to success! Come to success! God is Great! God is Great! There is none worthy of worship except God.

3.Zakah.Give to the poor

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakah means 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. An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves the annual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools. The muslims believe that possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. It is considered to be a personal responsibility for Muslims to ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality. Although the word zakah word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said: "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." He also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." When he was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity."

4.Sawn or fasting
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all able Muslims fast from dawn until sunset abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier. Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification. Muslims believe that by depriving oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God. He also gets to know about the difficulties and pains of the destitutes of the society. The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness to Allah, to express their gratitude to and dependence on him, to atone for their past sins, and to remind them of the needy. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God. God states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183)

5.Hajj or Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) - the hajj - is an obligation only for those who can afford it physically, financially, and securely. Nevertheless, over three million people go to Mecca each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations and races to meet together. The annual pilgrimage begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar year. Pilgrims
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wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all Muslims stand equal before God. The rites of the hajj are believed by Muslims to originate from the time of the Prophet Abraham. These rites include going around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Abraham's wife) during her search for water for her son Ismael. The pilgrims later stand together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Mecca) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

Conclusion
The five pillars of Islam have been prescribed by Allah, and a Muslim is required to believe and act according to them. They are practical as well as easy, and the blessings and wisdom behind them are manifold. When put into perspective, they contribute to the well being of both the individual and the society, enhancing the character and manners of the individual, and making both society and individuals accountable and closer to Allah. These noble pillars of Islam are purely for the benefit of His creation, as Allah (Glory be to Him!) is free of all needs. These five pillars provide the solid structure and training programme for the betterment and success of all humanity.