The Five Pillars of Islam

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Almost as soon as the Arab armies of Islam conquered new lands, they began erecting mosques and palaces and commissioning other works of art as expressions of their faith and culture. Many aspects of religious practice in Islam also emerged and were codified.

The religious practice of Islam, which literally means “to submit to God”, is based on tenets that are known as the Five Pillars, arkan, to which all members of the Islamic community, Umma, should adhere.

1.Shahadah

Shahadah is the term given to making a declaration of faith and dedication to the belief that there is only one God, Allah and that he sent His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad to guide his people. As the First Pillar of Islam, Shahadah is one of the most important and acts as the first submission to Islam and announcing one’s intention as a true follower.

Reverts to Islam are also required to make Shahadah as their first act of joining the faith and this serves as an affirmation of their commitment to their faith. To make Shahadah, intent is important, and one must recite the declaration sincerely three times with intent in their heart and mind.

2. Salah

Salah, also written as Salat, is the second Pillar of Islam and the act of obligatory daily prayer that is carried out five times a day at set times. The five prayer times fall between sunrise and midnight, although the times change depending on the region and the time of year, in line with the lunar calendar.

The prayers in order are as follows; - Fajr; dawn, before the sun has fully risen - Zhuhr; midday, once the sun has passed the highest point - Asr; late afternoon, and before the sun begins to set - Maghrib; after sunset, once the sun dips below the horizon - Isha; between sunset and midnight Part of the ritual of Salah is purifying one’s physical self (ablution) in preparation for prayer, this is a cleaning ritual known as wudhu and is an important first step that also washes away minor sins. Adhaan, the call to prayer, is broadcasted from Mosques to announce the set time for Salah throughout the day.

Although this is normally recited at Mosque, worshippers performing Salah at home can also recite adhaan at the exact time before they perform their daily prayers. The adhaan is also recited to introduce Islam to newborn babies in their right ear at the time of birth (usually by the child’s father or grandfather). In the same manner, it is also recited at the time of death before commencing Salaatul Mayyit (Death Prayer) at the funeral of the deceased. Whilst Salah is an act of worship to Allah, it is not, in any way, shape or form, for anyone’s benefit other than oneself - Salah is an important reminder that there is no one greater than Allah. During Salah, the mind should be free from any other worldly thoughts.

Many believers prefer to pray in congregation at their local Mosque which is a great way of demonstrating humanity and equality in Islam – in other words, all humans were all created by Allah and shall all return to Allah.

3. Zakat

Zakat literally means ‘to cleanse’ but is recognised by many as ‘charity’. In Islam, it is believed that Allah has intentionally created different levels of wealth for each individual to test humanity and generosity amongst believers. Every year, believers pay a 2.5% share of their held wealth (cash, property, gold, and silver) over a certain threshold to charity to help those less fortunate than themselves.

An important lesson of Zakat is the acknowledgeable that nothing we gain in this world is ever truly ours, it will not accompany us to the Hereafter, and it has no use to be buried with us. Rather than our wealth, it is our good deeds towards those who need help and support that will help us enter Jannah (Heaven) and this shouldn’t be forgotten. The belongings we have in this world are just that – material items - and these items provide no spiritual guidance.

Instead, it is how we use the wealth and materials we have gained to help others that will enhance our journey to the Hereafter and help us to let go and turn away from greed.

4. Sawm

The term Sawm means to fast, which is where the month of Ramadan comes in. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is more than simply avoiding food. It is the practice of discipline and the abstaining of temptations and bad habits.

From sunrise to sunset, able worshippers should avoid food and drink (including water), sexual activity, smoking and intoxication and any impure thoughts. Throughout Ramadan and the rest of the year, everyone should abstain from acts of evil and causing harm to oneself or others.

As Ramadan can fall in different seasons year to year, the total time spent fasting can change. In the summer, the days are much longer and fasting can be difficult in the hotter weather but in the winter, days are shorter and the temperature is much cooler. There are two named meals when fasting, they are Suhoor, which is the morning meal and is to be eaten before the sun rises and Iftar, which is the evening meal and may only be consumed at or after sunset.

The daily fast is traditionally opened and closed with dates, which carry numerous health benefits. As the Islamic year is based on the lunar calendar, it rotates by around 11 days each year; the month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an incredibly auspicious month in which the initial verses of the Holy Qur’an were bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad as a guidance for all mankind. This happened during the final 10 nights of this month, which is one of the many reasons why Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Power) holds so much significance.

One of the key principles of this month is to attain taqwa (closeness to Allah ) and to instil fear of Allah . The month itself holds countless rewards for those who seek repentance, practice, and give to charity.

5. Hajj

The fifth and final pillar of Islam is Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It is a time that worshippers from around the world congregate in Mecca to worship Allah and perform several rituals to strengthen their faith and devotion. Pilgrims must wear plain white clothing and enter a spiritual state of holiness, known as Ihram.

Ihram helps promote unity amongst the Ummah in attendance, for no man or women, rich or poor, resident or traveller, stands above another. Regardless of our age, ethnicity, status and race, in the eyes of Allah , we are all equal. Hajj falls in the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah, from the 8th to the 12th. It is a journey that every believer is obligated to take at least once in their lifetime and is a spiritual time that allows humans to become closer to Allah .

Hajj is followed by the festival of Eid-ul-Adha, which is where the time of Qurbani (festival of sacrifice) comes in. The pilgrimage of Hajj has no direct link with Qurbani as the time of Qurbani relates back to the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim was prepared to make in devotion to Allah .