ASSIGNMENT NO.

3
Pillars of Islam

Haseeb Arif
Sp18-bse-087
 Pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam are five basic acts of Islam, considered obligatory by
Muslims. The Quran presents them as a framework for worship and a sign of
commitment to the faith. The five pillars of Islam are as follow:-
 Shahadah
 Salah
 Sawm
 Zakat
 Hajj

On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased
with him) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:

“Islam has been built on five [pillars]: Muslim

testifying that there is no god, but Allah and that
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,
performing the prayers, paying the Zakah,
making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting
in Ramadan.” [Bukhari]

 Shahadah:-

Shahadah is an Arabic word which means “to know and believe without
suspicion as if witnessed”.
It is the most important pillar of Islam. Shahadah is a saying professing
monotheism and accepting Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) as God's messenger.
The shahadah is a set statement normally recited in Arabic: (ašhadu an) lā ilāha
illá l-Lāhu (wa ashhadu 'anna) Muḥammadan rasūlu l-Lāhi.
This saying means:-
“There is no true god (deity) but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger
(Prophet) of God.”
The first part means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone and
that God has neither partner nor son. And the second part means that
Muhammad (S.A.W) is the Messenger of God. He (S.A.W) is the last and final
Prophet in a long chain of Prophets sent to call the people to the obedience and
worship of Allah alone. This testimony of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple
formula which should be said with conviction in order to convert to Islam. The
significance of declaration of Shahadah is the belief that the only purpose of life
is to obey and serve only Allah and this is achieved through the teachings and
practices of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

Impact:-

There is no Islam without shahadah. It does not make a difference if a person

follows all the other aspects of Islam but he does not believe in shahadah all of
his deeds will be squandered and he should face Allah’s rage on the day of
Judgement. A man who gets the chance to recite it on his deathbed is considered
lucky. Shahadah may be simple declaration but the level of this statement is
very huge. Every Muslim have to believe it with their hearts in order to succeed
in the hereafter. Shahadah makes a person to obey and observe Allah’s
commands with strong determination and patience.

 Salah:-

Salah is an Arabic word meaning “bowing”, “homage” and “worship”.

It is the second pillar of Islam. Muslims are required to take part in prayers five
times each day, facing Mecca. Muslims plans to please Allah y remembering
Him while offering prayers. It is obligatory for every Muslim to pray five times
a day. Salah consists of five prayers which are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and
Isha. Fajr is performed at dawn. Dhuhr is a noon prayer, Asr is performed in the
afternoon, Maghrib is the sunset prayer and Isha is performed in the evening.

Allah (S.W.T) said in Quran:-

“Indeed, I am Allah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me

and offer the prayer for My remembrance”

Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:-

“Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an
expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are
not committed”

Abu Huraira (RA) narrated I heard Allah's Apostle saying:-

"If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five
times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt
would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers
with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds."
The importance of Salah is clear from these hadith. Now it's up to every Muslim
to perform this duty with enthusiasm.

Impact:-
It establishes the spiritual and personal connection between the man and his
Creator based on faith. It will enduringly affect the individual, filling his heart
with happiness, peace, and closeness with Allah. Muslim remembers the
greatness of his Creator and supplicates to Him for his needs and wishes. Salah
is an opportunity for repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah. It also
protects us from the evil influence of Satan. Salah brings us reward from Allah
and saves us from hellfire.

 Sawm:-

Sawm is an Arabic word meaning "to abstain". It is the third pillar of Islam.
Sawm is the fasting during the month of Ramadan for Allah (SWT). Fasting
includes refraining things like food, tobacco, and sexual relations. Sawm during
Ramadan is obligatory for every mentally and physically stable Muslims but it
is forbidden for children, childbearing mothers and those whose health is at risk
due to fasting. These times of fasting are to urge and empower Muslims to
create self-control, to persecute negative behavior patterns, and to refocus their
brains towards spiritual progress.

Allah (SWT) said:-

“Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that
you may attain piety”

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:-

"When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and
the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) also said:-

"... Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain
Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven."

Impact:-
Fasting has health advantages as it is proven scientifically. Fasting is the source
of forgiveness of sins. It purifies the soul and helps it acquire obeying Allah
(SWT) by controlling desires. A Muslim can develop good habits during fasting
as when you refrain from specific things that you were doing at your regular
times and now you understand its importance and would now be able to correct
yourself.

 Zakat:-

Zakat literally means "that which purifies". The word zakat is originated from
zaka. Zakat is considered a way to purify one's income and wealth from
sometimes worldly, impure ways of acquisition. Zakat is paying donations (or
charity) to help poor people and the needy for Almighty Allah. Muslims are
required to give no less than 2.5 percent of their yearly amount to poor people,
either specifically or through Muslim charitable associations. Through zakat, a
Muslim also controls his greed as it helps reduce the love of wealth and help
society by giving the cash to individuals who are poor. We as a Muslim believe
that when we give money to poor people then we will become trustworthy to
Allah Almighty. Through zakat, Muslim can purify his wealth as well as ensure
both financial and spiritual growth.
Allah Almighty said:-
“Those who establish the prayer (Salah) and give the charity (Zakat) these are
the ones who will prosper”
Allah (SWT) also said:-

“Those who hoard up treasures of gold and silver and spend them not in the
way of Allah; give them the news of a painful punishment, on the Day when
that (wealth) will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded
their forehead, their sides, and their backs, (and it will be said to them:) 'This
is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used
to hoard.”

This shows the importance of zakat and the severe punishment that will
befall those who do not give zakat.

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:-

"Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity."

Impact:-

Zakat purifies one’s heart from greediness and selfishness. It develops good
feelings among the rich and the poor people. It reduces the poverty and adjusts
the hole between various financial classes and groups. If a person wants to save
his self from hell fire then he should give money to the poor and needy people .

 Hajj:-

Hajj is an Arabic word meaning “to circle” or “to go around”. The fifth pillar is
Pilgrimage. The Hajj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of
Dhu al-Hijjah to the holy city of Mecca and derives from an ancient Arab
practice. All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in their
lifetime if their finances and health grant. When the pilgrim is around 10 km
(6.2 mi) from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two
white sheets. Both men and women are required to make the pilgrimage to
Mecca. The main rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the
Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, traveling seven times between Mount Safa
and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina. The pilgrim,
or the haji, is honored in their community. Hajj should be an expression of
devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be
self-aware and examine their intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This
should lead to constant striving for self-improvement. A pilgrimage made at any
time other than the Hajj season is called an Umrah, and while not mandatory is
strongly recommended.

Allah Almighty said in Quran:-

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kabah) is a duty that

mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's
conveyance, provision, and residence); and whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies
Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah), then Allah
stands not in need of any of the Alameen (mankind and Jinns).”
Allah (SWT) also said in Quran:-
“There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during
pilgrimage by trading, etc.). Then when you leave Arafat, remember Allah (by
glorifying His Praises, i.e. prayers and invocations, etc.) at the Mashar-il-
Haram. And remember Him (by invoking Allah for all good, etc.) as He has
guided you, and verily, you were, before, of those who were astray.”
Abu Huraira (R.A) narrated that

“Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was asked, “Which deed is the best?”

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Belief in Allah and His Messenger.”
He was asked again, “What is next?”
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Jihad [striving] in the cause of Allah.”
He was further asked, “And what is next?”
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Hajj mabroor [i.e. Hajj accepted by
Almighty Allah]”

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:-

"The best days in the world are the Ten days." (The First Ten Days of Dhul-
Hijjah)
Impact:-
Through Hajj, a Muslim can wash away all his sins. A person who has just
performed Hajj is like a person reborn because all of his past sins have been
forgiven. Hajj brings us closer to Allah and opens our hearts and mind to his
guidance. A person’s wishes are granted during Hajj.

The five pillars of Islam have been prescribed by Allah, and a Muslim is
required to believe and act according to them. These five pillars provide the
solid structure for the betterment and success of all humanity. It’s obligatory on
us (Muslims) to practice these in our lives for getting benefits in this life and the
Hereafter.