Five Pillars of Islam and the Importance of Each One

According to Abdullah ‘ibn ‘Umar, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Islam has five pillars. This Hadith is "agreed upon," which means it was included among the authentic narrations by both Imam Bukhari and Muslim. The five pillars of Islam are as follows:

• Attesting to the fact that there is no deity worthy of worship other than Allah, and that Muhammad (SAW) is Messenger ofAllah.
• Constructing the Salah (prayer).
• Zakat remittance (obligatory charity).
• Visiting the House for Hajj (pilgrimage).
• Ramadan fasting.

Muslims are required to observe these five pillars of Islam. All Muslims must do everything possible to incorporate them into their daily lives. Along with the five pillars of Islam, Muslims must believe in the six articles of faith: belief in Allah, angels, revealed texts, prophets, the Day of Judgment, and predestination.

The foundation of Islamic belief is the six articles of faith. The five pillars of Islam, on the other hand, are the cornerstones of Islamic action. These principles of life should be followed by any Muslim who aspires to follow the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Everything else is secondary in life.

Regrettably, not all Muslims follow these five principles. Millions of Muslims, on the other hand, wear the Muslim label without adhering to the five pillars of Islam. This is why it is critical for Muslims to understand them and their significance so that they can act on them in the future.

Shahadah is the first of the five pillars of Islam.

The word "shahadah" comes from the Arabic language and means "testimony." All Muslims are required to make the Shahadah, which is a vocal declaration of acceptance of Allah and the Prophet (PBUH) as God and Messenger, respectively. A Muslim must repeat this at least once in their lives, though it is widely recited in daily prayers and other places. It is Islam's most significant pillar because it demonstrates your acceptance of Allah and submission to His will.

The Shahadah is composed of the following words: “La ilaha ill Allah, Muhammad ur Rasool Ullah.” “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is Allah's Messenger,” they say.

It is recommended that a Muslim repeat the Shahadah, the first of the five pillars of Islam, as a means of remembering Allah. It is for this reason that the Prophet (PBUH) prescribed several duas to be recited at different times of the day, such as while getting up, sleeping, and so on. Reciting the Shahadah after waking up is one of the Sunnah duas. Every day during the Adhan, we can also hear the Shahadah. The Shahadah is included in each Adhan at each mosque. It is also spoken during the jalsa, or sitting section of our prayers.

Allah is the only One who is worthy of worship.

In Surah al-Baqarah, Allah tells us that there is only one God. Except for Him, he claims, no one is worthy of worship. All Muslims must recognise that Allah is greater than everything else.

Allah is the one who created the sky, the Earth, and everything else. Everything that exists apart from Him is a creation of His. As a result, He is the only Being worthy of adoration. We cannot worship any other being except him, despite the fact that many people do. We also cannot worship any other being, such as Christians, alongside him.

This is the foundation of the Islamic faith and the five pillars of Islam. To correctly proclaim the Shahadah, we must have a thorough understanding of all facets of Tawheed. The Quran claims that Allah created people and jinns to worship Him alone. As a result, that is the basic goal of our existence.

Every human being is born with the fitra to worship and believe in Allah. However, it is a person's environment and those around them that develop them to the point where they oppose Allah. From Adam (AS) until the last and final messenger, Muhammad (S), all of Allah's Prophets preached the same message about Allah's Oneness and why we must worship Him.

Allah's messenger is Muhammad (PBUH).

The first of the five pillars of Islam has two elements, the second of which is the Prophet's acceptance (PBUH). According to Hadith, Allah sent a large number of prophets to humanity, probably more than 100,000. He does, however, list 25 prophets in the Quran, the last of them is Muhammad (S).

Muhammad (S), like other prophets, was merely a human being who was a part of Allah's creation. Unlike earlier prophets, however, his message was for all Muslims rather than just one nation or territory, as was the case with most others. Muslims must also accept that Muhammad is the ultimate prophet, and that no one will come after him.

The second of the five pillars of Islam is: Salah

When the Prophet (PBUH) ascended to the skies, it became one of the most well-known events in Islamic history. During one night, he travelled to Al-Aqsa Mosque and then to the sky, where he saw many prophets and had the opportunity to communicate with Allah.

It was at this time that Allah showed the importance of daily prayers. He first stated that Muslims will be required to pray 50 times every day. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) descended and told Musa (AS), he advised him to request a concession from Allah because the weight was too great.

Allah lowered the number by five, but Musa (AS) requested that Muhammad (SAW) request more reductions. This went on until there were only five prayers left, at which point the Prophet (PBUH) decided it wasn't necessary to call for more. As a result, the second of the five pillars, the central pillar, was constructed.

The five daily prayers and their times

• Maghrib Salah begins at sunset and ends at sunrise. The time of completion is prior to the start of Isha.
• Isha begins when the sky is completely dark. It is recommended to pray it before midnight, but you have till Fajr to do so.
• Fajr is performed at the crack of dawn. Before sunrise is the last moment to offer it.
• When the sun reaches its greatest peak, it is Zuhr time. Before the Asr prayer, this is the final time.
• Asr begins in the mid-afternoon when the length of an object's shadow exceeds its length. Sunset is the final time for it.

Salah's most important information

The Adhan, which is recited in mosques, is the second of the five pillars of Islam. This is the time when the game begins. All Muslim men should make an effort to attend mosques to pray. However, any clean setting is good for praying.

To offer prayer, we must first do ablution and be in a pure state. After that, we'll be able to pray. Each prayer has a required section and a Sunnah section. Whenever possible, Muslims should endeavour to offer the Sunnah as well. The required component, on the other hand, is a requirement for Muslims. If they do, they will have to make up for it by praying late.

Muslims must endeavour to pray in big gatherings on certain significant occasions. One is the weekly Friday prayer, which takes the place of Zuhr and includes a discourse. We should strive to spend Friday doing such devotional activities because it is a day of worship.

The two Eid prayers are two more instances when we must pray in huge groups. These are held early in the morning, shortly after sunrise, and follow a certain procedure.

While not one of the five pillars, Muslims can give a variety of alternative prayers in exchange for additional blessings. One of the most gratifying is Qiyam ul Layl, also known as Tahajjud, in which we can offer multiple rakat in the hours leading up to Fajr.

Zakat is the third of the five pillars of Islam.

Every Muslim who possesses money or belongings in excess of a particular quantity is required to pay Zakat on a yearly basis. As a result, this is a type of forced charity. To maintain a balanced society, Islam encourages us to share our wealth with others. This is also a technique of ensuring that people do not amass money at the expense of others.

The nisab is the minimum amount required to pay Zakat. Because the nisab is determined by the price of gold and silver in Islam, the minimum value fluctuates. The gold and silver content is around 85 and 595 grammes, respectively. However, today's gold and silver prices are vastly different, with the latter being far more inexpensive. As a result, Muslims should determine the worth of 595 grammes of silver and pay Zakat if their total exceeds that amount.

To meet the third of the five pillars of Islam, a person who has the bare minimum must donate 2.5 percent of it in Zakat, or 1/40th. This is true in terms of a person's cash and savings. You do not have to pay Zakat on your home, car, or other valuables. Zakat, on the other hand, may be applicable if you have animals, a farm, or other such assets.

When Muslim countries existed in the past, the state collected and disbursed the Zakat properly. Except in a few nations, most Muslims must pay Zakat on an individual basis. It's critical that you check what you own and make the proper calculations before giving the Zakat to the appropriate person or institution to satisfy this responsibility.

Who is eligible to receive Zakat?

Allah has designated eight groups of people to whom Muslims might contribute money in order to fulfil the third of the five pillars of Islam.

• Poverty-stricken persons who are unable to meet their fundamental necessities.
• People in need who are not well-off and are having difficulty making ends meet.
• Zakat collectors are individuals who collect and distribute Zakat to others.
• Strengthen and encourage new Muslims and others who are considering Islam.
• Auy the release of a slave or captive from his owner.
• To pay off a debt owed to someone who is in need and unable to repay it.
• Aid persons who are pursuing Islamic knowledge or are involved in Jihad.
• To help stranded passengers who are unable to return to their home nations.

Sawm is the fourth of the five pillars.

During the month of Ramadan, all Muslims are required to fast. Fasting entails not eating or drinking anything from Fajr to Maghrib, as well as refraining from sexual activity with a partner.

Fasting has been employed for the benefit of the people by various groups and cultures throughout history. People have recently begun to use various fasting-related strategies for weight loss and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Ramadan is a month in which Muslims must strive to get closer to God. Because Satan is enslaved this month, we have a fantastic opportunity to perform good and get benefits. During Ramadan, it's typical to observe Muslims participating in a variety of religious activities, such as reading the Quran, feeding people, and attending a variety of optional prayers in addition to the mandatory ones.

The third of the five pillars of Islam instructs us on how to exercise self-control and restrain our cravings. When we go without food for lengthy periods of time, we get a taste of what the poor and needy in our society go through on a daily basis. As a result, we can relate to them.

Being patient when fasting and demonstrating excellent manners helps us suppress all negative sensations and maintain emotional control. Our souls are purified, and we can socialise with relatives and friends while breaking our fast at Iftaar and thanking Allah for His blessings.

The actual challenge for many people does not occur during Ramadan. It's to keep living the same way when Ramadan is over. It is not uncommon to see mosques packed during Ramadan and deserted after it has concluded. During this month, people generally exert self-control and participate in religious rituals, and then, once the month is complete, they return to their normal lives.

Eid-ul-Fitr

When the moon for the following month is visible, the ninth Ramadan comes to an end. As a result, the fourth of the five pillars' requirement is lifted. For Muslims, Eid is a time of enormous delight. There are two annual Eid festivals that Allah has recognised as Muslim celebrations.

To begin Eid, we must donate Zakat-ul-Fitr to aid the underprivileged, allowing them to partake in the festivities as well. After that, we go to conduct Eid prayers. After that, Muslims meet together with one another to celebrate the end of Ramadan by exchanging presents, resting, and enjoying themselves.

The fifth of the five pillars of Islam is: Hajj

The final pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage to the Kaabah, Allah's House. It's one of the most important aspects of Islam. There are more than 1.5 billion Muslims in the world now, yet only a few million are able to conduct Hajj every year. As a result, it is something many Muslims aspire to participate in.

A person must be physically and financially capable of performing Hajj in order to participate. Hajj is expensive in today's world, which is why Muslims typically save for a long period in order to be able to afford to do this blessed fifth of Islam's five pillars of Islam.

Two white pieces of cloth are essential to wear Muslim pilgrims visiting Makkah. This is a requirement that emphasises equality throughout the Hajj. The outfit implies that all Muslims are equal and that there is no distinction between them. Women commonly wear an abaya and a hijab, which are both black.

Muslims must execute a number of Hajj rites in order to complete the Hajj. The tawaaf, or walking around the Kaabah, journeying between Safa and Marwa, and stoning the Jamaraat are the most important ceremonies. Pilgrims frequently go outside of Makkah to destinations like Muzdalifah, Minaa, and Arafah. They repent and pray for pardon at Arafah.

When a Muslim fulfils the final of the five pillars of Islam correctly and Allah accepts it, Allah forgives the person's sins totally. The person leaves Hajj with a clean slate, letting him or her to begin a new life. Muslims must strive to practise and encourage good while avoiding and discouraging evil.

The Kaabah's History

Muslims believe Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail erected the Kaabah. In Surah aal-Imran, Allah declares that He instructed them to build it. It was built as the House of Allah. That is to say, it is a place where we go to worship. It is not, however, literally Allah's House.

The pagans had converted the Kaabah into a place of pilgrimage for their own people before Muhammad (PBUH). It included many idols and served as an economic hub for the Quraish, who benefited from pilgrims. During the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (PBUH) demolished 360 idols in the Kaabah, making the House of Allah fit for worship once more.

Since then, the Kaabah has served as the focal point for Muslim prayer. It is also the site of the Hajj, which attracts millions of people every year for the purpose of worshipping Allah.

Final Thoughts

Muslim scholars hope that this explanation of the five pillars would help them better understand their significance. All Muslims who wish to live their lives in accordance with Allah's laws and accept His teachings must adhere to the five pillars of Islam, which are as follows:

Of course, some of them, such as Zakat and Hajj, have qualifications. Travelers and the sick are exempt from fasting, and disabled or sick persons can pray Salah in a variety of ways rather than the traditional ones. As a result, Allah has spared us the load. He has instead made religion and the five pillars of Islam simple.

In the Quran, there five pillars of islam.

And we sent among them a messenger from themselves, [saying], “Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?” 

Quran 23:32

Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except me, so worship me and establish prayer for my remembrance.

Quran 20:14

The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.

Quran 49:15

We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and we will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.

Quran 2:144

And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

Quran 2:43

[And who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

Quran 2:177

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.

Quran 2:185

So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘umrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.

Quran 2:158