The Five Pillars of Islam
There are five pillars in Islam that support Islam, just as pillars support a building. These pillars are forms of worships that Muslims have been prescribed by God Almighty, to maintain their beliefs. They are forms of worship that are obligatory on all Muslims, and each pillar has its own distinct quality of worship.
1. Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
“I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah (God) and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.”
The declaration of faith consists of two parts. The core of Islam and the first part of the declaration is tawheed, or the belief that there is only one God and that only He is worthy of worship.
“All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Judgment. It is You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path; The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked Your anger or of those who are astray.” [Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening) 1: 2-7]
“Say, “He is Allah, who is One; Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”[Surah Al-Ikhlas (Sincerity), 112: 1-4]
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him…” [Surah An-Nisa (Women), 4:36]
The second part of the declaration is affirming that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah.
It is related from al-Hasan al-Basri that some people said, “Messenger of Allah, we love Allah,” so Allah revealed,
“Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Surah Ali Imran, (The Family of Imran), 3:31]
The Shahadah is the first step in entering Islam. A person who sincerely recites the Shahadah, believing in only one God and that Muhammad was his Messenger, becomes a Muslim.
2. Salah (Prayer)
Following the Shahadah, the next prescribed form of worship is prayer, which is performed five times throughout the day. In Islam, prayers are conducted very differently than prayers in Judaism and Christianity. There is a lot of movement in the prayers, and recitation of the Holy Quran during the prayers. Prayer has the effect of constantly reminding us of God, to restrain from evil and indecent behavior and to adhere to the path of good and righteousness. Prayer is the most prevalent and recurring act worship, meant to remind us of our intentions and keep us in check multiple times during the day.
“Certainly will the believers have succeeded, they who are during their prayer humbly submissive” [Surah Al-Mu’minoon (The Believers), 23:1-2]
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah], Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.” [Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow), 2: 45-56]
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace [rest].” [Surah Ar-Rad (The Thunder), 13:28]
For more information on how to pray, go to http://www.islamicfinder.org/prayer/index.html or http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/salat/salat9.htm.
3. Zakat (Alms)
Zakat is a purification of wealth, designed to help and benefit those in need (i.e. the poor, hungry, orphaned, widowed, ill, etc…), to remind us that all sustenance comes from Allah and to discipline ourselves against egoism and avarice. Zakat, which is obligatory upon all Muslims, is 2.5% of an individual’s total wealth and is paid yearly. Zakat is kind of worship that manifests itself in the form of a social service and helping others.
“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [Zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” [Surah At-Tawba (The Repentance), 9:60]
“And whatever you give for interest to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah. But what you give in Zakat, desiring the countenance of Allah – those are the multipliers.” [Surah Ar-Room (The Romans), 30:39]
To learn more about zakat or how to calculate it, go to http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/Zakat/.
4. Sawm (Fasting)
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is mandatory upon Muslims who are capable of fasting. The purpose of fasting manifests itself in two forms. The first purpose is physical, which is to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and intercourse. The physical aspect of fasting heightens the sensitivity to the suffering of the poor, as well as increases the awareness of our dependence on sustenance from God. The second purpose of fasting is to cleanse ourselves of sins, mentally and spiritually, by refraining from temptations and indecent behavior such as lying, stealing, cheating, and backbiting. Fasting is a special form of worship that lifts one’s spirit, cleanses one’s soul and lightens one’s heart.
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” [Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow), 2:183]
“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”[Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow), 2:185]
For more information on fasting, go to http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0311-2133.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Pilgrimage to Makkah is a once in a lifetime duty for the physically and financially able. It is the ultimate act of worship a person can attain in this life. Hajj is the greatest symbol of unity in Islam, as it brings Muslims from all over the world to Makkah. Muslims of all races, nationalities, and social and economic statuses unite and pray shoulder to shoulder, equally under God.
“And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah, but if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals…” [Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow), 2:196]
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass. That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the poor.” [Surah Al Hajj (The Pilgrimage), 22: 27-28]
For more information on Hajj, go to http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/Hajj/.
The Six Articles of Faith
The six articles of faith are collectively the creed of Islam. If the five pillars support Islam like pillars support a building, the six articles of faith are the foundation upon which those pillars stand. Without each of those components, a building is incomplete. The six articles of faith sum up the basic theology of Islam: the belief in one God, His Angels, His Messengers, His Books, Divine Predestination, and the Day of Resurrection.
1. God
There is no God but ONE God. He has neither parents nor progeny. He is one entity, all knowing and omnipotent. God Almighty says in the Quran,
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”[Surah Adh-Dhariyat (The Winds That Scatter), 51:56]
Everything we have is because it is sustenance from the Creator: life, death, air to breathe, food to eat, water to drink, the ability to think, success and failure. Muslims worship and give thanks to Allah because without His sustenance, all existence would vanish.
‘Islam’ is an Arabic word which translates into ‘submission’ in English, so belief and submission to one God is the purpose of this life.
We have the natural inclination to thank those who do favors for us, or those who give gifts to us. What is life if it is not a gift, and what is everything around us (our sustenance) if it is not a favor? It only makes sense to worship and thank the one Creator for our existence.
2. Angels
Angels are creations who worship and serve God. There are many Angels, though only a few are mentioned in the Quran and the Ahadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).
The most well-known Angel in Islam is Jibril (Gabriel), who brought most of the Quran and revelations from God to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Angel of Death collects the soul from the human body [Surah As-Sajda (The Prostration), 32:11). The Angels Kiraaman Katibeen (the Noble Writers) reside at the right and left shoulders and respectively record each person's good and bad deeds [Surah Al-Infitar (The Cleaving, Bursting Apart), 82: 10-14]. The Angels Munkar and Nakir question each soul in the grave. The Angel Malik distributes punishments in Hell [Surah At-Tahrim (The Banning, Prohibition), 66:6].
In Islam, Satan is NOT a fallen Angel, rather a jinn created from smokeless fire. All Angels are created from light and do not have free will; they follow the commandment of God. Because Angels are the messengers and servants of Allah, the belief in the Angels is obligatory upon all Muslims.
3. Prophets
Islam is the last of three Abrahamic faiths, and was sent down to correct the deviations that had arisen after the formation of Judaism and Christianity. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is known as The Seal of Prophets, indicating that there were many more Prophets before him, and none after him. Islam is not a new faith, rather it was revealed as guidance for the same message that started with the first Prophet, Adam (peace be upon him). In the Quran, twenty-five Prophets are mentioned in various chapters including: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Lot, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Job, Jonah, Zachariah, John and Jesus (peace be upon them all). The Prophets are all greatly revered, as many of their stories are extensively covered in the Quran. There are some Prophets who are not mentioned in the Quran, but are mentioned in the Ahadith. The Prophets serve as role models for all Muslims and were sent down as the Messengers of God were all human beings, spreading the same message that the Prophet Muhammad spread across the world- to worship one God.
4. Scriptures
There are five known scriptures and texts that document revelations to five different Prophets, as stated in the Quran. The five texts are: the Scrolls of Abraham [Surah Al-Alaa (The Most High), 87:18-19], the Scrolls and Torah of Moses [Surah Al-Maida (The Table Spread), 5:44], the Psalms of David [Surah Al-Anbiyah (The Prophets), 21:105], the Gospel of Jesus [Surah Al-Maida (The Table Spread), 5:46], and the Quran of Muhammad. While Muslims believe that these scriptures were once authentic, it is evident that overtime they have been changed and therefore the original message has not been conserved. It is a proven fact that the Holy Quran is the only scripture whose text has not been changed since its codification, not even a single word. Whereas previously, the scriptures had been revealed with specific directions and guidance for the respective tribes of the Prophets, the Holy Quran was revealed to provide universal guidance, for all situations, for all nations of people, and for all times to come.
5. Predestination
“Indeed, We have created all things with Qadr.” [Surah Al-Qamar (The Moon), 54:49]
Understanding and belief in qadr, or predestination, is also a very important aspect in Islam. The concept of qadr is often misunderstood and ultimately only God fully understands it.
Qadr is knowing that God created everything and that He knows His creation’s actions even before they do them.
“Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the heaven and earth? Indeed, that is in a Record. Indeed that, for Allah , is easy.” [Surah Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage), 22:70]
However, God has still given us all free choice. We have the power to make our own decisions; God just knows what we will decide before we do so.
“He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measure.” [Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion, The Standard), 25:2]
In the case of sleep, insanity, or forgetfulness, a person is no longer acting by their own free choice because they are not aware of their actions, thus their actions are not part of free choice but rather what God has decreed to happen.
From Taawoos who said, ‘I found some Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying, ‘Everything is by Qadr (measure).’ And he further said, “I heard ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar – radiyallaahu ‘anhu – as saying, ‘There is a measure for everything – even for incapacity and capability.” [Related by Muslim (no.6419)]
6. Resurrection
Following the end of the Earth, after all of the minor and major signs have appeared, every human being will be resurrected from the grave. This day is known as the Day of Resurrection or The Day of Judgment. Allah says in the Holy Quran,
“I swear by the Day of Resurrection, And I swear to the reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection]. Does man think that We will not assemble his bones?” [Surah Al- Qiyama (The Resurrection), 75:1-3]
In this world, the nature of the justice system is seen as a reward and punishment system. To simply put it, we are rewarded for good actions and good behavior, and punished for crimes and bad behavior.
The Day of Judgment will be conducted in a similar fashion. On the Day of Judgment, every human being will be held accountable for every good and bad deed he or she did, regardless of how small or great the deed was [Surah Al-Qamar (The Moon), 54:52-53].
And on that day,
“We will seal over their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn” [Surah Ya-Seen (Ya-Seen), 36:65].
On the Day of Judgment it will be decided whether a soul will enter Heaven or Hell, determined by the records of deeds and the testimonials of that person’s body.
The belief in the Day of Resurrection and Judgment is a fundamental part of Islam. It is the direct consequence of our actions in the world and the strength of our faith in God. It is the end result of how we understand our purpose in life.