Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars consist of Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith.

Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day. Zakat: paying
an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy. Sawm: fasting during the
month of Ramadan

Shahadah
Shahadah is the first pillar of Islam. The confession of the faith of a Muslim is in the
pronouncement of Shahadah.

“I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT

ALLAH, WHO IS ONE, WHO HAS NO PARTNERS AND I
BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT AND
APOSTLE.”

This declaration is the foundation and essence of Islam. It is the expression of belief,
which differentiates a believer from a non-believer.

The primary emphasis of Quran is upon the doctrine of Tauhid. Surah Ikhlas says:

“HE IS ALLAH, THE ONE AND ONLY. ALLAH THE ETERNAL,

THE ABSOLUTE. HE BEGETS NOT NOR HE IS BEGOTTEN;
AND THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO HIM.”

True unity of Allah means that He is unique in person. This signifies that Allah is only
One and there is no plurality in the name of god. The Quran says:
 “TAKE NOT (FOR WORSHIP) TO GODS: FOR HE IS JUST
ONE GOD.”

He is unique in His attributes; this signifies that no other being can parallel Allah’s
attributes and powers. No power can do the tasks which Allah has already done or
may do. Holy Quran says:

“SERVE ALLAH, AND JOIN NOT ANY PARTNERS WITH HIM.”

This declaration is not only confined to the Oneness of Allah but it also highlights the
authority and sovereignty of Allah. There is no other Creator and Sustainer of this
universe except Him. There can likewise be no other rule, lawgiver, and supreme
authority.

The second part of the declaration is:

“MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT AND APOSTLE.”

This shows us the inseparable relation between the belief in Oneness of Allah and
Prophet (PBUH) as His last messenger. Allah appointed Holy Prophet (PBUH) as His
messenger and revealed Quran through him upon the humankind. He is the role model
for every Muslim without whom we would have no idea of how to confirm the truth laid
down by the first part of the declaration. Prophet (PBUH) is the link between the
Creator and the creatures. Therefore, to deny the second part of the declaration would
be to cut off all the connections of the Islamic faith with the first one. Holy Quran
says:

“HE WHO OBEYS THE PROPHET, OBEYS ALLAH.”

This declaration prepares human beings to reflect upon Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings
and encourages them to follow his path. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) summed up all the
previous revelations, therefore to follow him is to follow the teachings of all prophets.
As Quran says:

“WE SENT NOT A MESSENGER BUT TO BE OBEYED IN

ACCORDANCE TO THE WILL OF ALLAH.”

He is the symbol of the message of Allah known as Islam which was one or the other
way was preached by all previous prophets.

Salah
After fulfilling the conditions for the prayer, the worshipper stands straight with his
face towards Ka’ba and hands hanging down the sides of the body, he makes the
Niyat for prayer, to be offered. He then raises his hands to his ears and recites
Taqbeer-e-Tahrima. The hands are brought down and folded on the navel. In this
position Sana is recited followed by Taawwuz:

“I BETAKE MYSELF TO ALLAH FOR REFUGE FROM

ACCURSED SATAN.”

After this, Tasmiyah is recited.  Surah Fatiha is recited followed by Tasmiyah. It

means:

“IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE

MOST MERCIFUL.”

After the recitation of Surah Fatiha, any short or lengthy surah is recited. The
worshipper then bows down in forwarding direction, while standing and placing both
his hands on his knees. In this position, he recites Tasbih Ruku at least three times:

“GLORY TO MY LORD, THE GREAT.”

After saying this, he stands straight and recites:

“ALLAH LISTENS TO HIM WHO GIVES PRAISE.”

Then Tahmid is recited:

“O OUR LORD! ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO YOU ALONE.”

After Tahimd, the worshipper stands erect for a while and then goes to ground for
prostration while reciting Taqbeer. In the position of Sajda, the toes of both feet, both
knees, both hands and the forehead touch the ground. In this posture, worshipper
recites:

“GLORY TO MY LORD, THE MOST HIGH”

is recited thrice. After the Tasbih Sajda, the worshipper says Takbir and sites for a
short while reciting Takbir. This is known as Jalsa after which second Sajda is
performed in the same way as first. He then recites Takbir while rising. The worshipper
then stands to perform the second Rakat in the same way as the first except that Sana
in the position of Qiyam is not to be recited. After the performance of the second
Rakat, the worshipper assumes sitting position known a Qaadah.

Following Qaadah he recites Tahiyya:

“ALL PRAYERS AND WORSHIPS RENDERED THROUGH

WORDS, ACTIONS AND WEALTH ARE DUE TO ALLAH
ALONE. PEACE BE ON YOU, O PROPHET AND THE MERCY
OF ALLAH AND HIS BLESSINGS. PEACE BE ON US AND
THE RIGHTEOUS SERVANTS OF ALLAH.”

Then worshipper recites the Tashuud:

 “I BEAR WITNESS THAT NONE DESERVES TO BE
WORSHIPPED EXCEPT ALLAH AND I BEAR WITNESS THAT
MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT AND APOSTLE.”

Followed by this, Durud is recited which mentions the blessing on Holy Prophet
(PBUH). After the recitation of Durud, he recites:

“O MY LORD! MAKE ME ONE WHO ESTABLISHES REGULAR

PRAYERS AND ALSO AMONG MY OFFSPRING. O OUR
LORD! ACCEPT MY PRAYERS. O ONE LORD! COVER ME
WITH YOUR FORGIVENESS- ME, MY PARENTS AND
BELIEVERS TO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.”

Consequently, the worshipper ends the prayer with Taslim in which he turns his face
to right, looking over the right shoulder says:

“PEACE BE UPON YOU AND MERCY OF ALLAH”

Then turning his face to left and looking over the next shoulder, the repeats the same
words.

Conditions to be fulfilled before Salah

As prayer (Salah) is the second pillar of Islam. It begins with the purification of the
body and ends with the purification of the soul. The prayers (Salah) performed five
times a day and the night which are Fajr (at dawn), Zuhr (afternoon), Asr
(midafternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (nightfall). Prayer may be considered as an
energizing charge man needs to stand in the remembrance of his Rabb. In order to
renew the contact with his Rabb, the first think the men starts off his day with his
prayer. As the Holy Quran says:
  “WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED AS-SALAT (THE PRAYER –
CONGREGATIONAL), REMEMBER ALLAH STANDING,
SITTING DOWN, AND LYING DOWN ON YOUR SIDES, BUT
WHEN YOU ARE FREE FROM DANGER, PERFORM AS-
SALAT. VERILY, THE PRAYER IS ENJOINED ON THE
BELIEVERS AT FIXED HOURS.”

Allah also says in the Holy Quran:

 “AND SEEK HELP THROUGH PATIENCE AND PRAYERS”

To perform prayer there are certain conditions that a person needs to fulfill before
offering the prayers. These conditions are that person should wear clean clothes and
body must be clean from all impurities. They have to cover the Satar as well as the
women: All Muslims that is male is required to cover what is between the navel and
the knee at Salah. But women should cover the whole body except their faces and
hands. Tight (not transparent) clothes are accepted but loose ones are preferable. A
person must perform ablution with the intentions of Salah for which he or she are
performing the Wuzu. The place where he or she is going to pray must be clean as
Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“O YOU WHO BELIEVE! WHEN YOU INTEND TO OFFER AS-

SALAT (THE PRAYER), WASH YOUR FACES AND YOUR
HANDS (FOREARMS) UP TO THE ELBOWS, RUB (BY
PASSING WET HANDS OVER) YOUR HEADS, AND (WASH)
YOUR FEET UP TO ANKLES. IF YOU ARE IN A STATE OF
JANABA (I.E. HAD A SEXUAL DISCHARGE), PURIFY
YOURSELF (BATH YOUR WHOLE BODY)..”
After performing Wuzu and standing at clean place for prayer, a Muslim should
orientate himself or herself towards the point of adoration that is the Holy Kaabah in
the city of Makkah:

 “SO TURN YOUR FACE IN THE DIRECTION OF AL-

MASJID- AL-HARAM (AT MAKKAH). AND WHERESOEVER’S
YOU PEOPLE ARE, TURN YOUR FACES (IN PRAYER) IN
THAT DIRECTION.”

After this, the worshipper makes intention for prayer and starts his Salah. As the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) said:

“INTENTION IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL DEEDS”

Congregational prayers

The Friday prayer carries special importance for Muslim and Quran relates it as:

“O YE WHO BELIEVE! WHEN THE CALL IS PROCLAIMED ON

FRIDAY (THE DAY OF ASSEMBLY) HASTEN EARNESTLY TO
THE REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH AND LEAVE OFF
BUSINESS, THAT IS THE BEST FOR YOU IF YE BUT KNEW.”

Friday prayer according to Holy Prophet PBUH is obligatory for every adult male.  The
preparations for Jumma prayer are similar to that of daily prayers but Muslims are
advised to take bath, put on fresh clothes and apply some fragrance, which is also a
Sunnah of Prophet PBUH. Muslims are required to leave their business and go to the
mosque as soon as they hear the Azaan for the Friday prayer. Mainly, males offer
congregational prayer but in some communities, women are also encouraged to
attend and pray in congregation.
After the first Azaan is called, one has to offer for pre-farz Sunnats. Then the second
Azaan is called before the Khutbah. After the call to prayers, the Imam delivers the
sermon, which is an essential part of Friday prayer. The Khutbah is obligatory (Farz)
part of Friday prayer and listening to it is a Wajib act. While the Khutbah is being
delivered, no conversation is allowed. Reading Holy Quran, reciting Durood or even
praying is forbidden. Prophet(PBUH) said:

”WHEN YOU TELL YOUR COMPANION ON FRIDAY TO BE

SILENT WHILE THE IMAM IS PREACHING, YOU ARE GUILTY
OF IDLE TALK.”

Everyone must listen to the sermon quietly till the end. The use of mobile phones must
be prevented. The sermon consists of advice based on the Quran and Hadith about
living a lifestyle according to Islam. The Imam upon delivering the first sermon sits
down for a short while and starts to deliver the second sermon. In this, the Imam
recites portions of Holy Quran.

After the second sermon, people arrange themselves in rows while the Iqamat is being
called. Two Farz raakats are offered under the leadership of Imam. As soon as the
Farz are offered, the Friday prayer is completed and the Imam makes dua. Following
this, the Muslims offer 4 raakats of Sunnats, followed by 2 more Sunnats and 2
Nawafil individually. Furthermore, the Friday prayer cannot be prayed as Kaza, instead,
the believer has to offer the Zuhr prayer. Moreover, there are some people exempted
from the Friday congregational prayers. They include Travelers, Sick, women, minors,
slaves, and children.

Zakat
Zakaat is the third pillar of the Islamic faith. It can be defined as the portion of man’s
wealth, which is designated for the poor. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:
 ”ZAKAAT SHOULD BE COLLECTED FROM WELL-TO-DO
AND DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE POOR.”

Zakaat was made obligatory on Muslims in 2A.H. Quran says:

” AND SPEND YOUR SUBSTANCES ON THE CAUSE OF

ALLAH”

The Zakaat is obligatory on every free adult Muslim who owns and possesses a
property to the prescribed state called Nisam (the minimum amount of possession on
which Zakaat is liable).

Zakaat is payable on cash, silver, gold, jewelry, animals, mines, agricultural goods.
There are set percentages for the payment of Zakaat. On cash, it amounts to 25%.
The person who possesses 52  silver or 7  tolas of gold, he is liable to pay zakaat at
a rate of 2.5%. The owner of the mines must pay the amount that is of th of their total
production. The state of Zakaat, which is implied as an agricultural production is
called Ushr. It amounts for the the part of land irrigated artificially and the of the land
fed by rain. In livestock, on every 30 sheep, 1 goat must be given. On every 30 to 40
cattle, 1 calf on the age of one year is to be given. Furthermore, on every 5 camels,
one goat or sheep must be given. Holy Prophet (PBUH) laid down great emphasis
upon the payment of Zakaat and admonished those who do not pay Zakaat. Holy
Quran says:

“AND THOSE WHO HOARD UP GOLD AND SILVER AND

SPEND IT NOT IN THE WAY OF ALLAH, ANNOUNCE UNTO
THEM A PAINFUL TORMENT..”

Most of the Muslims give alms of the year in the month of Ramadan but they must
also remember to pay Sadqa-tul-Fitr which is given to the needy ones at the mosque.
Quran and Sunnah mention those to whom Zakat must be given and to whom may
not. It is to be given to poor who do not posses any property, equal to that of Nisab.
Secondly, to those who are in need and are forced to beg. Thirdly, to those who have
newly accepted Islam and are in need of necessities. The slaves who have to earn
their freedom and are in debt. Zakat can also be given to travelers and to those who
have been appointed to collect it. Quran sums up all of this by saying:

“ALMS FOR POOR AND NEEDY AND THOSE WHO

EMPLOYED TO ADMINISTER THE FOND AND THOSE
WHOSE HEARTS HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RECONCILED TO
TRUTH. THOSE IN BONDAGE, IN DEBT, IN CAUSE OF
ALLAH AND FOR THE WAYFARER.”

Zakat must not be given to descendants of the prophets, one’s parents or children
and to non-Muslims. Also, it cannot be given as a part of the salary to any employee
or worker.

Fasting
Fasting means to abstain from food, marital relations, sins etc and devote oneself to
praise of Allah during the holy month of Ramazan. Fasting is obligatory for all Muslims
adults both males and females. Before fasting, Sehri is taken till dawn which involves
consumption of food and drink as one has to remain hungry for the rest of the day. An
intention before fasting and taking Sehri has to be made which is:

“I INTEND TO KEEP TOMORROW’S FAST OF RAMADAN.”

The Sehri must be finished before the emergence of light on the horizon. Holy Quran
refers to it as:

“ALLAH HAS ORDAINED FOR YOU AND EATS AND DRINK

UNTIL THE WHITENESS OF THE DAY BECOMES DISTINCT
FROM THE BLACKNESS OF NIGHT AT DAWN.”
From this very moment, the person is subject to all restrictions and prohibitions
associated with fast until the setting of the sun. They include eating, drinking,
smoking, consuming medicine by mouth and marital relations. Any type of sin whether
minor or major has to be avoided during the state of fasting. The sin could be as
small as lying. The only things for which a Qaza fast is necessary include:  swallowing
something other than food or drink, injecting the liquid medicine in body, vomiting,
entering of water in the throat while gargling. Qaza is a type of fast, which has to be
kept after Ramazan for any fast that was broken earlier during the holy month of
Ramazan. If the fast is broken intentionally or by any means that are prohibited, then
in addition to the Qaza fast, the person shall have to pay Kaffara. It is for the every
fast broken, the believer has to fast for 60 days continuously. Even if a single fast is
missed, he shall have to start all over again to complete the 60 days fasting penalty. If
the believer cannot for 60 consecutive days, he may for each broken fast, feed 60
poor people twice a day or give cash or grain equal to the Sadqah-e-Fitr to 60 needy
people.  One must try to commit as many deeds as he can and seek for Allah’s
forgiveness. The primary purpose of fasting is to please Allah as much as we can and
to abstain from all types of sins. Other than praying punctually, one must recite Holy
Quran as much as he can.

While fasting, the use of toothbrush, hair oil and perfume is allowed. The paste or
tooth powder if used must be taken care that they do not enter the throat. There are
some special cases which are exempted from fasting and they do not have to keep
the Qaza fast. These include: menstruating, pregnant or nursing ladies. A patient in
severe condition, infants and old people who are feeble are all exempted from fasting.

All of the restrictions are lifted as soon as the time for Maghrib prayer comes.  Muslim
has to break the fast after the sunset by reciting the following verses:

“O ALLAH! I FASTED FOR YOU, BELIEVE IN YOU AND PUT

MY TRUST IN YOU WITH YOUR SUSTENANCE, I NOW
BREAK THE FAST.”
Regarding breaking the fast with dates, Prophet (PBUH) said:

“WHEN ONE OF YOU BREAKS HIS FAST, HE SHOULD DO

SO WITH DATES, FOR THEY PROVIDE BLESSING.”

The fast is usually broken with consumption of date and water which is a Sunnah
itself. Later on, all the prohibitions are lifted and the Muslim may carry out the tasks
normally until the time of Sehri.

Hajj
The performance of Hajj is very difficult and strenuous form of worship though
Muslims should attempt to go once in their lifetime. Holy Quran says:

“PILGRIMAGE THERETO IS A DUTY MEN OWE TO ALLAH –

THOSE CAN AFFORD THE JOURNEY.”

Pilgrims arrive in Makka by the 7th day of Dhu al-Hajj. They purify themselves and the
men put on Ihram. It is the preparation, entering into the purified state at prescribed
stations, Mawaqit, by shedding ordinary clothes and putting on two seamless clothes.
They are worn in such a way that one is around the waist and other is over the
shoulder. Females do not use these clothes instead; they put on simple and modest
clothes to cover their bodies with the exception of face and hands. At the great
Mosque of Ka’aba, Masjid ul Haram, they perform the Tawwaf.  It is anti-clockwise
circumambulation of Kaaba seven times, at the inception and conclusion of Hajj.
Afterward, the pilgrims carry out Sa’i between the hills of Safa and Marwa by running
between the hills seven times. Quran says:

“BEHOLD! SAFA AND MARWA ARE AMONG THE SYMBOLS

OF ALLAH. SO IF THOSE WHO VISIT THE HOUSE IN THE
 SEASON OR OTHER TIMES SHOULD COMPASS THEM
ROUND, IT IS NO SIN TO THEM.”

On the eight day of Dhu al-Hajj, the pilgrims proceed to the plain of Mina, where they
spend the night in praying and worship of Allah. On a ninth day, they leave Mina for
Arafat, where they recite Holy Quran and pray Asr and Zurh together at the Jaba al-
Rahma. This process is known as Wuquf in which they spend time by reciting
appropriate passages from Quran. This is the climax of Hajj and Muslims believe that
the misdeeds of their lives, until this time are forgiven. At the time of sunset, the
pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdalifa, where they spend their night in worship while
performing Isha and Maghrib together. Later on, they gather 49 pebbles for the next
day.

At the time of dawn, they proceed to Mina, where they perform Rami. It is done by
throwing pebbles at the Jamarat. The stone pillars in three in total and they symbolize
Satan who tried to mislead Hazrat Abraham (R.A) at three places, where Jamarat are
situated. The stoning is done from about five or six feet from the pillar. After this, the
animal sacrifice, Udhiya is performed on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hajj. The Eid ul Azha
is performed at Mina. Men usually have their heads shaved at this time. Regarding
sacrificing animal, Quran says:

“THE SACRIFICIAL CAMELS, WE HAVE MADE FOR YOU AS

AMONG THE SYMBOLS FROM ALLAH IN THEM IS MUCH
GOOD FOR YOU… WHEN THEY ARE DOWN ON THEIR
SIDES AFTER SLAUGHTER, EAT FROM THEM AND FEED
OTHERS.”

Rami has then performed once again on 11th and 12th day as well. On the 12th day, the
pilgrims return to the Ka’aba for the final Tawaf and with this observance, the Hajj is
completed.