The Pillars of Islam
Islam as mentioned above is considered by Muslims to be a comprehensive way of life, affecting every aspect of human existence. The "Pillars" of Islam are actions, which serve as the foundations of the faith and cover aspects of both belief and ritual worship. Omar tells of a moment when one day, he and others were sitting with the messenger of Allah (SWT), there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black: no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the prophet. Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said: "O Muhammaad, tell me about Islam". The messenger of Allah (SWT) said: "Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah (SWT) and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (SWT), to perform the prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast in Ramadhan, and make pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so." He said: "You have spoken rightly. He said: "Then tell me about Iman "He said: "It is to believe in divine destiny, both the good and evil thereof." He said: "You have spoken rightly." He then took himself off and I stayed for a time. The he said: "O Omar, do you know who the questioner was?" I said. "Allah (SWT) and His messenger know best". He said: "He was Jibril (Gabriel), who came to you to teach you your religion."
The first of these "Pillars" is the belief in the oneness of God. In Islam this oneness is called Tawhid, an Arabic word that means "Oneness." It means that God is eternal and absolute, that He has no beginning and no end. That everything other than God was created by God and that God is without equals, rivals, sons, daughters, or fleshly manifestation. It is this belief about God that is central to the Muslim's faith and actions. Obedience to God emanates from this basic belief that is obligatory upon adherents of Islam. Muslims believe that God's laws take precedence over any cultural or habitual affectations that one might acquire in life. When habits or cultural behaviors are in conflict with God's guidance, they are not accepted as acts of faith or religion.
The Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through inspiration, or rather Wahi which means "communication with God The revelation that is compiled as the text of the Holy Qur'an was brought to the Prophet by an angel named Jibril, whom we know in English as Gabriel. This inspiration or wahi came while the prophet (PBUH) was awake. This religious view is important to the understanding of the Pillars of faith because part of the belief in God's oneness is also the belief in His Prophets. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the last of these Prophets. A Muslim must accept the prophecies of Muhammad (PBUH) and follow their guidance. Muslims must also obey the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) teachings and explanations of the Qur'an by following what is called the Sunnah of the Prophet, or "His way." John Esposito in Islam: The Straight Path (1991, p. 89) explains Tawhid, the first Pillar of Islam, as "acknowledgment of and commitment to Allah (SWT) and His Prophet."
The second Pillar of Islam is prayer, (Holy Qur'an, 11:114)
And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: for those things that are good remove those that are evil: That is a reminder for the mindful. And be steadfast in patience; For verily Allah (SWT) will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
Five times a day, Muslims turn towards the Kaba in Mecca and perform ritual prayers. The method or technique of prayer is based on the example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) given during his lifetime. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to lead the congregation of Muslims in Mecca and Medina in prayer, thus demonstrating to them the way in which prayer should be performed.
The prayer consists of reciting the first Surah of the Qur'an, Al-Fatihah, referred to as "the seven often repeated verses," followed by the recitation of a chosen verse or verses of the Qur'an and various praises to God. For each segment of the prayer, a Muslim adopts a distinguishing bodily position, beginning with standing and placing hands across the heart, and then bowing and kneeling. Muslims repeat these positions a prescribed number of times depending on which prayer is being performed. The five daily prayers are the morning prayer, Fajr, the noon prayer, Dhur, the afternoon prayer, Asr, the evening prayer, Maghrib, and the night prayer, Ishaa. To pray five times a day is an obligation that every Muslim must adhere to except those exempted by Islamic law. .
The third Pillar of Islam is Zakat, or the mandatory tax levied annually upon the Muslim's possessions. This tax is distributed to the poor (Holy Qur'an, 2: 43)
"And be steadfast in prayer and give Zakat, and bow down your heads with those who bow down in worship."
The Zakat provides a source of revenue for the Muslim State in the form of an income tax. It is seen as an act of worship where the rich and able is providing for the poor and the needy. The Islamic law provides others details for on how and what is subject to this taxation.
The fourth Pillar is the Fast of Ramadhan. This obligatory fast commemorates the revelation of the Holy Qur'an. Muslims fast approximately 29 to 30 days of Ramadhan. The month of Ramadhan is determined by the lunar calendar. From the time of dawn to the end of daylight, Muslims not only abstain from water and food, but also from sexual intercourse, slander, profane speech, and other actions considered uncharacteristic of pious behavior or righteousness (Holy Qur'an, 2:185)
Ramadhan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgement 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 one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah (SWT) intends every facility for you, He does not wanrt 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 ye shall be grateful."
The fifth Pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage, or Hajj. This is a journey that the Muslim is obliged to take to the site of the Kaba and to other religious sites in and around Mecca. There, Muslims perform certain religious rituals and prayers, as they were first performed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers. This Pillar is only obligatory upon those who are physically and financially able to afford the cost effort involved (Holy Qur'an 2:196). "And complete the Hajj or Umra in the service of Allah (SWT) but if ye are prevented,( from completing it ) send an offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find."
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