Five Pillars of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

• The Five Pillars of Islam are the five basic acts in
Islam, considered obligatory by Muslims.
• These are summarized in the famous Hadith of
Gabriel. The Quran presents them as a framework
for worship and a sign of commitment to the faith.
• They are
1. Shahadah (Creed)
2. Daily prayers (Salat)
3. Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm)
4. Almsgiving (Zakāt) and
5. Pilgrimage to Makka (Hajj)
 The Prayer
As salat
.
• Purpose of prayer.
• Benefits of prayer.
• Kinds of prayers.
• The ablution .
Purpose of Salaat.
1.         It strengthens the belief in the Existence of God and
transmits this belief into the innermost recesses of man’s
heart.

2.         It helps man to realize his natural and instinctive

aspirations to greatness and high morality, to excellence
and virtuous growth.

3.         It purifies the heart and develops the mind,

cultivates the conscience and comforts the soul.

4.         It fosters the good and decent elements in man and

suppresses the evil and indecent inclinations.
It is difficult for anyone to impart in words the full meaning of
the Islamic prayer yet it can be said that it is :-

1.   A lesson in discipline and willpower;

2.  A practice in devotion to God and all worthy objectives;
3.   A vigilant reminder of God and constant revelation of
His Goodness;
4.   A seed of spiritual cultivation and moral soundness;
5.   A guide to the most upright way of life;
6.   A safeguard against indecency and evil, against wrong
deviation and stray;
7.   A demonstration of true equality, solid unity, and
brotherhood;
8. An expression of thankfulness to God and
appreciation of Him;

9. A course of inner peace and stability;

10.An abundant source of patience and

courage, of hope and confidence
 The Kinds of Prayer
1.         Obligatory (Fard), which includes the five daily prayers and
the Friday’s noon congregational prayer. Failure to observe these
prayers on time is a serious and punishable sin. However, funeral
prayer which is known as “Farad Kifayah” in Arabic, which is a
collective duty, is also obligatory in the sense that if no one comes
out to perform the prayer on a deceased Muslim in a given
community, the community as a whole is deemed sinful in the sight
of Allah, but if it is performed by some of the people, then, the rest of
the community are absolved of the sin.

2.         Supererogatory (Wajib and Sunnah), which includes the

prayers accompanying the obligatory services, and the
congregations of the two great festivals (Eeds). Failure to observe
these is a harmful negligence and a reproachable conduct.

3.         Optional prayer which includes all voluntary prayers at any

time of the day or the night. Two periods have a special preference:
the later part of the night until just before the breaking of the dawn
and the mid-morning period.
 The Ablution (Wudu’)
•              Before offering the prayer one must be in good shape and
pure condition. It is necessary to wash the parts of the body which
are generally exposed to dirt or dust or smog. This performance is
called Ablution (Wudu’) and is preferably carried out as follows:
1.         Make the intention by heart.
2.         Wash the hands up to the wrists, three times.
3.         Rinse out the mouth with water, three times, preferably with
a brush whenever it is possible.
4.         Cleanse the nostrils of nose by sniffing water into them,
three times.
5.         Wash the whole face three times with both hands, if
possible, from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the
chin and from ear to ear.
6.         Wash the right arm three times up to the far end of the
elbow, and then do the same with the left arm.
7.         Wipe the whole head or any part of it with a wet hand, once.
8.         Wipe the inner sides of the ears with the forefingers and
their outer sides with the thumbs. This should be done with
wet fingers.
9.         Wash the two feet up to the ankles, three times,
beginning with the right foot.

            At this stage the ablution is completed, and the person

who has performed it is ready to start his prayer. When the
ablution is valid a person may keep it as long as he can, and
may use it for as many prayers as he wishes. But it is
preferable to renew it as often as possible. It is also preferable
to do it in the said order, although it will be accepted from
those who fail to keep this order. Ablution in the said way is
sufficient for prayer unless it is nullified by any reason.
 FASTING IN QURAN.
 
Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the
Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for
guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So
every one of you who is present (at his home) during that
month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or
on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up)
by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does
not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to
complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in
that He has guided you; and perchance YOU shall be
grateful . [al-Baqarah 2:185]
 Meaning of fasting
• Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual
characteristic of Islam. Literally defined, fasting means
to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks, some
human desires and smoking, before the break of the
dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan,
the ninth month of the Islamic year.
Here is an explanation of the spiritual meaning of the
Islamic Fasting:
• It teaches man the principle of sincere Love: because
when he observes Fasting he does it out of deep love for
God. And the man who loves God truly is a man who
really knows what love is.
• It equips man with a creative sense of hope and an
optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he is
hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace.
• It imbues in man the genuine virtue of effective devotion,
honest dedication and closeness to God; because when
he fasts he does so for God and for His sake alone.
• It cultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience;
because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as
well as in public. In fasting, especially, there is no
authority to check man's behavior or compel him to
observe fasting. He keeps it to please God and satisfy
his own conscience by being faithful in secret and in
public. There is no better way to cultivate a sound
conscience in man.
• It indoctrinates man in patience and selflessness, as
through fasting, he feels the pains of deprivation but he
endures them patiently.
• It is an effective lesson in applied moderation and
willpower.
• Fasting also provides man with a transparent soul, a clear
mind and a light body.
• It enables man to master the art of Mature Adaptability.
We can easily understand the point once we realize that
fasting makes man change the entire course of his daily
life.
• It grounds man in discipline and healthy survival.
• It originates in man the real spirit of social belonging, unity
and brotherhood, of equality before God as well as before
the law.
• It is a Godly prescription for self-reassurance and self-
control.
• Fasting Ramadan is obligatory on every responsible and
fit Muslim. But there are other times when it is
recommended to make voluntary fasting, after the
Traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Among these times
are Mondays and Thursdays of every week, a few
days of each month in Rajab and Sha'ban, six days
after Ramadan following the 'Eid-ul-Fitr Day. Besides,
it is always compensating to fast any day of any month
of the year, except the 'Eid Days when no Muslim
should fast.
 Who Must Fast?
Fasting Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or
female, who has these qualifications:
• To be mentally and physically fit, which means to be sane and
able.
• To be of full age, the age of puberty and discretion, which is
normally about fourteen. Children under this age should be
encouraged to start this good practice on easy levels, so when
they reach the age of puberty they will be mentally and physically
prepared to observe fasting.
• To be present at one's permanent settlement, your home town,
one's farm, and one's business premises, etc. This means not to
be on a journey of about fifty miles or more.
• To be fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause you any harm,
physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger,
thirst, etc.
• Children under the age of puberty .
• Insane people who are unaccountable for their deeds, and no
compensation or any other substitute is enjoined on them.
• Men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the
obligation of fast and bear its hardships but they must offer, at least,
one needy poor Muslim an average full meal or its value per person
per day.
• Sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the
observance of fast. They may postpone the fast, as long as they are
sick, to a later date and make up for it, a day for a day.
• Travelers may break the fast temporarily during their travel only and
make up for it in later days, a day for a day
• Pregnant and women feeding their children if its observance is
likely to endanger their own health or that of their infants also 
during  menstruation. But they must make up for the fast at a
delayed time, a day for a d
 General Recommendations:
It is strongly recommended by Prophet Muhammad to observe these
practices especially during Ramadan:
• To have a light meal before the break of the dawn,
• To eat a few dates or start breaking the fast by plain water right after
sunset (O God! for Your sake have we fasted and now we break the
fast with the food You have given us).
• To make your meals as light as possible because, as the Prophet
put it, the worst thing man can fill is his stomach.
• To observe the supererogatory prayer known as Taraweeh.
• To exchange social visits and intensify humanitarian services.
• To increase the study and recitation of the Qur'an.
• To exert the utmost in patience and humbleness.
• To be extraordinarily cautious in using one's senses, one's mind
and, especially, the tongue; to abstain from careless gossip and
avoid all suspicious motions.
 Zakat in Islam
 Meaning of Zakat: 
•  Linguistically, ZAKAT has two meanings: purification
and growth. Technically, it means to purify one's
possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount
to the poor,
• Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It has been
mentioned, along with daily Prayers (Salaat), over
seventy times in the Quran.
• Allah's word commanding ".....and establish regular
Salaat and GIVE regular Zakat....." are referred to in
many parts of the Quran. From this we can conclude that
after Salaat, Zakat is the most important act in Islam.
Just as Salaat is the most important act of worship which
has to be performed bodily, so is Zakat the main act of
worship which has to be performed monetarily.
There are many major benefits of giving Zakat:
• It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may
possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent
according to the His commands.
• Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough
money today pay for what they have
• Zakat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of
submission and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The receiver of
Zakat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favor for
which he is thankful to Allah.
• Economically, Zakat is the best check against hoarding. Those who
do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see
their wealth dwindling year after year at the rate of the payable
Zakat.
• This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a
redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more
real purchasing power
Zakat is obligatory upon a person if :
• He or she is an adult, sane, free and Muslim.
• He/she must possess wealth in excess of specified
minimum (Nisaab) excluding his or her personal needs
(clothing, household furniture, utensils, cars etc. are
termed article of personal needs).

• It should be possessed for a complete lunar year.

• It should be of productive nature from which one can

derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business,
gold, silver, livestock etc.
• The amount of wealth which makes one liable for Zakat is called
Nisaab. The Nisaab as fixed by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is as
follows  
• Gold 87.48 Gram 7.50Tolas
• Silver 612.36Gram 52.50Tolas
• Nisaab of cash, stock or bonds, other cash assets is the equivalent
amount of Gold or Silver.
• Nisaab is calculated by adding up the cash value of all the assets such
as gold, silver, currency etc. and if it is equal to or in excess of the
minimum Nisaab as specified in the above table, the Zakat is due at the
rate of 2.5%.
• The payment of Zakat is compulsory on the excess wealth or effects
which is equal to or exceeds the value of Nisaab, and which is
possessed for a full Islamic year.
• If such wealth decreases during the course of the year and increases
again to the value of Nisaab before the end of the year, the Zakat then
must be calculated on the full amount that is possessed at the end.
TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAT IS IMPOSED:

• Gold and silver, in any form.

• Cash, bank notes, stocks, bonds etc.
• Merchandise for business, equal to the value of Nisaab.
• Live stock.
• On income derived from rental business.
 DISTRIBUTION OF ZAKAT:

• Zakat should be given as soon as possible after it becomes due.

• All of the Zakat can be given to one person or to several persons.
• A poor man cannot be paid for his work from Zakat nor can Zakat be
given in payment of services, except to the people appointed by the
Islamic government to collect Zakat.
• Zakat will only be valid if the recipient is made the owner of that
amount. If, for example, a few needy persons are fed a meal from
Zakat money, then Zakat will not be fulfilled as they were not made
owners of the food.
• Zakat cannot be given for the construction of Masjid, Madrasah,
Hospital, a well, a bridge or any other public amenity.
• Zakat can be paid in kind from the same merchandise on which it is
due, or alternatively, it could be paid in cash.
TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAT IS NOT
IMPOSED:

On any metals other than gold or silver.

• Fixtures and fittings of a shop, car, trucks or any delivery
vehicle etc., which is used in running business.
• Diamonds, pearls, other precious or semi precious
stones which are for personal use.
• There is no Zakat on personal residence, household
furniture, pots and pan, personal clothing, whether they
are in use or not.
• There is no Zakat on a person whose liabilities exceed or
equal his assets.
 RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAT
• FUQARA: people who are poor and who possess more than
their basic needs but do not possess wealth equal to Nisaab.
• MASAKEEN: people who are destitute and extremely needy
to the extent they are forced to beg for their daily food rations.
• AL-AMILEEN: people appointed by an Islamic Government
to collect Zakat.
• MU-ALLAFATUL-QULUB: persons who have recently
accepted Islam and are in need of basic necessities who
would benefit from encouragement by Muslims which would
help strengthen their faith.
• AR-RIQAAB: slaves who are permitted to work for
remuneration and have an agreement from their masters to
purchase their freedom on payment of fixed amounts.
• AL-GHAARIMEEN: persons who have a debt and do
not possess any other wealth or goods with which they
could repay that which they owe. It is conditional that this
debt was not created for any un-Islamic purpose.
• FI-SABILILLAH: persons who have to carry out an
obligatory deed which has become obligatory on them
and subsequently (due to loss of wealth) are unable to
complete that obligation.
• IBN-US-SABEEL: persons who are travelers and during
the course of their journey do not possess basic
necessities, though they are well to do at home. They
could be given Zakat in order to fulfill travel needs to
return home.
PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN ZAKAT:
• Zakat cannot be given to the descendants of Muhammad
(P.B.U.H);

• Zakat cannot be given to parents and grandparents.

• In the same manner one's children and grandchildren
cannot be given Zakat.
• A husband cannot give Zakat to. His wife.
VIRTUES OF ZAKAT:
Allah says in the Quran: "The parable of those who spend
their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It
grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah
increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Quran 2:261)
It is stated in the Hadith that by giving Zakat the following
benefits are derived:
• Gain the pleasure of Allah.
• Increase in wealth and protection from losses.
• Allah's forgiveness and blessings.
• Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death.
• A shelter on the Day of Judgment;
• Security from seventy misfortunes.
THE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT GIVING ZAKAT:
Allah says in the Quran:
"And there are those who hoard gold and silver and
do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to
them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of
Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth
in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded
on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will
be said to them) This is the treasure which you
hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that
you have been hoarding." (Al-Quran 9:34-35)
 
Meaning Of Hajj
Hajj literally means “to intend” . In Islamic terminology it
means to visit the Holly Kaaba in ihram and to perform
specific rituals.
On Whom It is Obligatory
An adult Muslim of sane mind, an able body and having
means to bear the expenses must perform this act once
in a lifetime .
Not obligatory for children and sick person.
Pillars of Hajj

1. To enter into the state of Ihram and have the intention to

perform the pilgrimage .

2. To stay at the field of Arafat on the ninth of Dul –Hajj .

3. Additional circling of Kaaba after the stay at Arafat .

Types of Hajj:
1.  Hajj Mufrad:
One enters into the state of Ihram for Hajj only and no
Umra is performed before Hajj.

2.  Hajj Tamattu :This is Hajj when Umra is performed

before the Hajj. The pilgrim removes Ihram for Umra on
the 8th of Dul Hajj and re-enters into the state of Ihram
again for Hajj.

3.   Hajj Qiran: In this Hajj, the pilgrim enters into the
state of Ihram for both Umra and the Hajj at one time.
Ihram:
• Ihram is the intention of the person willing to perform all
rites of 'Umrah or Hajj .
• Each direction coming into Makkah has its own Miqat. It
is recommended that the one who intends to perform
Hajj makes Ghusl perfumes his body, but not his
garments, and puts on a two piece garment with no
headgear.
• One piece to cover the upper part of the body, and the
second to cover the lower part.
• For a woman the Ihram is the same except that she
should not use perfumes at all and her dress should
cover the whole body decently, leaving the hands and
the face uncovered.
Talbeyah:
• It is recommended to repeat the well known supplication
of Hajj, called Talbeyah, as frequently as possible from
the time of Ihram till the time of the first stoning of Jamrat
Al-Aqabah in Mina. Men are recommended to utter the
Talbeyah aloud while women are to say it quietly.
Talbeyah is :
• "Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayka La
Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Inna-alhamda Wan-ntimata
Laka Walmulk. La Shareek Lak." (Here I am at your
service. O my Lord, here I am. Here I am. No partner do
You have. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the
provisions are Yours, and so is the dominion. No partner
do You have.)
Tawaf:
When a Muslim arrives to Makkah, he should make
Tawaf around the Ka'bah, as a gesture of greeting
Masjid Al-Haraam.
This is done by circling the Ka'bah seven times in the
counterclockwise direction, starting from the black stone
with Takbeer and ending each circle at the Black Stone
with Takbeer, keeping the Ka'bah to one's left.
Then the pilgrim goes to Maqam Ibrahim and performs
two rak'ah behind it, away from the path of the people
making Tawaf.
In all cases one should be facing the Ka'bah when
praying behind Maqam Ibrahim.
Sa'i:
Sai is a walk 7 times between the mountains of SAFA
and MARVA .Its obligatory in hajj and if some one has the
intention of Umrah his umrah is completed with this
obligation.
Stay at Arafat :
On the 9th day of Thul-Hijjah, the Day of Arafat, the
pilgrims stay in Arafat until sunset. The pilgrims pray
Dhuhr and Asr at Arafat, shortened and combined dur ing
the time of Dhuhr to save the rest of the day for glorifying
Allah and for supplication asking forgiveness.
A pilgrim should make sure that he is within the
boundaries of Arafat, not necessarily standing on the
mountain of Arafat.
Stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah :
• When the pilgrims arrive at Mina, they go to Jamrat Al-
Aqabah where they stone with seven pebbles glorifying
Allah "Allah-u Akbar" at each throw and calling on Him to
accept their Hajj.
Sacrifice :
• After stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah, the pilgrim goes to
slaughter his sacrifice either personally or through the
appointment of somebody else to do it on his behalf. A
pilgrim should slaughter either a sheep, or share a cow
or a camel with six others.
Shaving the head or trimming the hair
The final rite on the tenth day after offering his sacrifice
is to shave one' s head or to cut some of the hair.
Shaving the head is, however, preferable for it was
reported that the Prophet prayed three times for those
who shaved their heads, when he said: "May Allah's
Mercy be upon those who shaved their heads.
" Bukhari and Muslim” .
For women, the length of hair to be cut is that of a finger
tip.
Tawaf Al-Ifadhah :
Tawaf Al-Ifadhah is a fundamental rite of
Hajj. The pilgrim makes Tawaf AI-Ifadhah
by visiting Al-Masjid AlHaraam and circling
the Ka'bah seven times and praying two
Rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim.
Farewell Tawaf :
Farewell Tawaf is the final rite of Hajj. It is
to make another Tawaf around the Ka'bah.
 ASSIGNMENT No 1
Concept of Islam about Polygamy
Introduction
Polygamy and the wife acceptance
Polygamy and its Preconditions in Islam  
Major disadvantages of polygamy
Can polygamy be a better solution in some
cases?
Why not polyandry ?
• Date of Submission 06 March
• 750 -1000 words ( Hand written ) A4 paper