The First Pillar : Al-Shahaadatayn (The Twin Testimony of Faith)

This means that a person believes  that  Allah alone is the Lord,  Sovereign and Controller, the Creator and  Provider.

He  affirms all  His most beautiful names  and the sublime attributes  that Allah has affirmed  for Himself  or that  His

Prophet  affirmed  for  Him.  He  believes  that  Allah alone, and no  one  else,  is  the Only One Who is deserving of

worship, as Allah says “He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth.  How  can He  have children when  He has

no wife? He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything. Such is Allaah, your Lord! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa

(none has the right to be worshiped but He), the Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakeel

(Trustee, Disposer of affairs or Guardian) over all things”[al-An’aam 6:101-102]

And he believes that Allah sent His Messenger Muhammad (Sallah Lahu Alaihi wa sallam) and revealed to him the Qur’an, and commanded him to convey this religion to all of mankind. He believes that loving Allah and His Messenger and obeying them are duties which are obligatory upon all of mankind, and that love of Allah can only be realized by following Muhammad (Sallah Lahu Alaihi wa sallam):



“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’aan and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31]

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The Second Pillar : Salaah (prayer)


The Muslim believes that  Allah has enjoined upon every sane adult Muslim five prayers each day and night, which he

does in a state of purity, standing before his Lord, every day in a state of purity and humility, thanking his Lord for His

blessings, asking Him of His bounty, seeking His forgiveness for his sins, asking Him for Paradise and seeking refuge

in Him from Hell.

The five obligatory  prayers which are required  day and night  are Fajr  (early  morning, before dawn),  Zuhr (mid-

day, just after noon), ‘Asr (mid afternoon), Maghrib (just after sunset)  and  ‘Ishaa’  (at night,  after  dark has

fallen). There  are  also  Sunnah prayers such as  Qiyaam al-Layl (prayer at night), Taraweeh prayers, two rak’ahs of

Duha prayer, etc.

Prayer, whether it is fard or naafil, represents a sincere turning towards Allaah alone in all one's affairs. Allaah has commanded all the believers to guard strictly the observance of the prayers, as Allah says “Guard strictly (five obligatory) As Salawaat (the prayers) especially the middle Salaah (i.e. the best prayer   ‘Asr). And stand before Allaah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salaah (prayers)]”[Al-Baqarah 2:238]

The five daily prayers are obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman, night and day:
“Verily, As Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours”[al-Nisaa’ 4:103]
 

The one who abandons prayer has no share in Islam. Whoever neglects it deliberately is a kaafir, as Allaah says: “(And remain always) turning in repentance to Him (only), and be afraid and dutiful to Him; and perform As Salaah (Iqaamat as Salaah) and be not of Al Mushrikoon (the polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah)[al-Room 30:31]

Islam is based on co-operation, brotherhood and love, and Allaah has prescribed coming together for these prayers and others, in order to attain these virtues. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times better than prayer offered alone.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 650)

Prayer helps the believer at times of hardship and calamity. Alaah says: “And seek help in patience and As-Salaah (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khaashi‘oon [i.e. the true believers in Allah — those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)].[Al-Baqarah 2:45]

The five daily prayers wipe out sins, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you not think that if there was a river at the door of any one of you, and he were to bathe in it five times each day, would there by any dirt left on him?” They said, “No dirt would be left on him at all.” He said, “That is the likeness of the five daily prayers, by means of which Allah erases sin.”

Prayer in the mosque is a means of entering Paradise. Muhammad (Sallah Lahu Alaihi wa sallam)said: “Whoever comes and goes to the mosque, Allah will prepare for him a house in Paradise for each time he comes and goes.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 669)



Prayer brings the slave and his Creator together. It was the delight of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Whenever any matter grieved him, he would turn to prayer and converse with his Lord and call upon Him, seeking His forgiveness and asking Him of His bounty.

Prayer done with proper humility and fear of Allah brings the Muslim closer to his Lord, and keeps him from doing evil, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Recite (O Muhammad) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur’an), and perform As Salaah (Iqaamat as Salaah). Verily, As Salaah (the prayer) prevents from Al Fahsha’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed)”[al-‘Ankaboot 29:45] 

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The Third Pillar : Zakaah (poor due, charity tax)


Just as Allah has created people with different colours, attitudes and levels of knowledge, so too their deeds and

provision  vary.  He  has  made  some  of  them  rich  and  some  poor,  to test the rich as to whether they show

gratitude,  and  to  test  the  poor  as  to whether they are patient. Because the believers are a brotherhood, and

brotherhood is based on compassion,  kindness, love  and mercy,  Allah has enjoined upon the Muslims Zakaah

which is taken from the rich and given to the poor. Allah says “Take  Sadaqah (alms)  from their wealth  in  order

to purify them  and sanctify  them  with  it,  and invoke Allaah for them.  Verily, your invocations  are a source of

security for them”[Al-Tawbah 9:103]

Zakaah purifies and cleanses wealth, and purifies the soul from stinginess and miserliness. It strengthens the love

between the rich and poor, takes away hatred, makes security prevail and brings happiness to the Ummah happy. 

Allah has made the payment of Zakaah obligatory upon everyone who owns the nisaab (minimum amount) for one year. The rate of Zakaah on gold, silver, other metals and trade goods is one quarter of ten percent. On agricultural produce and fruits the amount is one-tenth if it is irrigated (by artificial means), and one-half of one-tenth if it is not irrigated (by artificial means, i.e., it is watered by rainfall or other natural means). Concerning an’aam animals (i.e., sheep, goats, cattle and camels) the details are explained in the books of fiqh… Whoever pays Zakaah, Allah expiates his sins thereby, and blesses his wealth, and stores up for him a great reward. Allah says “And perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and give Zakaah, and whatever of good (deeds that Allah loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allah. Certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what you do”[al-Baqarah 2:110]

Withholding zakaah brings disasters and evils upon the Ummah. Allah has threatened those who withhold it with a painful torment on the Day of Resurrection. He says “O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allah (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism). And those who hoard up gold and silver (Al Kanz: the money, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment.

On the Day when that (Al Kanz: money, gold and silver, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them:) ‘This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard’” [al-Tawbah 9:34-35]

Concealing one’s zakaah is better than paying it openly in front of people, as Allah says “If you disclose your Sadaqaat (almsgiving), it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allah) will expiate you some of your sins. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do [al-Baqarah 2:271]

When a Muslim pays his Zakaah, it is not permissible for him to give it to anyone except those whom Allah mentions in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise”[al-Tawbah 9:60]
The fourth pillar: sawm (fasting) in Ramadaan

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The Fourth Pillar: Fasting means abstaining from things which break the fast, such as food, drink and intercourse,

from sunrise until sunset, with the intention of fasting. The relationship of patience  to faith  is like that of the head to

the body. Allah has  enjoined  upon this  ummah  fasting  for one month  of the year, in order to draw closer to Allah,

to  avoid  that  which  Allah has forbidden , to  get  used  to  being  patient, to bring  the  nafs (self)  under control, to

compete in generosity and to demonstrate co-operation and mutual compassion . Allah  says “O  you  who  believe!

Observing  As-Sawm  (the fasting)  is  prescribed  for  you  as  it was prescribed for those before you,  that you may

become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”[al-Baqarah 2:183]

The month of Ramadaan is a great month, in which Allaah revealed the Qur’aan. The reward for good deeds, acts

of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month. In it is Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a  thousand

months. The gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayaateen (devils) are tied up.

Allaah has made fasting the month of Ramadaan obligatory upon every sane, adult Muslim, male and female alike, as He says “The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

There is a great reward with Allaah for fasting. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every action of the son of Adam is multiplied, each good deed  receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allaah said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for he gives up his desire and food for My sake.’” (Narrated by Muslim, al-Siyaam)

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The Fifth Pillar: Hajj (Pilgrimage)


Allaah has given the Muslims a Qiblah (direction of prayer) which  they face when they pray (Salaah) and offer

 supplications (du’aa’), wherever they may be. This qiblah is the Ancien t House  (the Ka’bah)  in Makkah  al -

Mukarramah:“so  turn your face in the direction of Al - Masjid Al - Haraam (at Makkah). And wheresoever you

people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction [al-Baqarah 2:144]

Because  the  Muslims  scattered  all  over the  world  and  Islam  calls  people to be united and getto know

one another, just as it calls them to co-operate  in righteousness  and piety, to recommend one  another  to

 the  truth,  to call  people to Allah and to venerate the rituals of Allah – hence  Allah has  made it obligatory

 for  every  sane,  adult  Muslim  who  has  the  means, to  visit  His  Ancient House,  to  circumambulate  it  

and  to  perform  all  the rituals of Hajj as explained  by  Allah  and His  Messenger.  Allah  says: “And  Hajj

 (pilgrimage  to  Makkah)   to   the   House   (Ka‘bah)  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 ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” [Aal Imraan 3:97] 

Hajj is an occasion on which the unity of the Muslims, their strength and pride, are made manifest. For the Lord is One, the Book is one, the Messenger is one, the ummah is one, their worship is one and their clothing is one.

Hajj has its own etiquette and conditions which the Muslims must observe, such as restraining their tongues, hearing and sight from all that Allaah has forbidden, being sincere in their intentions, using money from good sources (for Hajj), fostering the best attitude, and avoiding everything that could invalidate the Hajj, such as sexual relations, sin or arguing unjustly, as Allaah says “The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihraam), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allaah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!”[al-Baqarah 3:197]

If the Muslim does Hajj correctly, in the manner prescribed and sincerely for the sake of Allaah, it will be an expiation for his sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allaah, and does not have sexual relations or commit sins, will come back like the day his mother bore him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 15210)

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Reference

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/13569/pillars