Islam’s pillars of obligation

26 Mar, 2017 - 00:03 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks —
THE word “Muslim” means “one who submits,” and refers to the voluntary surrender of one’s heart and life to God’s will. The life-long practice of submitting is called “Islam”.

Islam does not have a concept of “salvation”, the so-called “working your own way to heaven”. No one can attain perfection, and God is – of course – aware of that.

One enters Paradise only by God’s mercy, which He bestows upon those who are righteous in faith and actions. For example, a college physics professor knows that no one will ace the final exam he has prepared. However, that doesn’t mean he will fail the whole class.

To those who have tried their best throughout the semester, who have attended class and completed their projects, he will over look the few answers they get wrong. He will be generous and pass them without reservations. God’s mercy is incomparable to that of anyone else’s – its scope is beyond our capability to comprehend. When people come to Him humbly, trying to obey Him in everything, He will not ignore them. He records every detail of our lives not just the moments when Believers turn to Him in worship, prayer or remembrance.

The Day of Judgment is when this record will be reviewed, and every single individual will be asked about everything they did, which obligations they fulfilled and which ones they did not, and how they used their health, wealth, time and knowledge.

Since Islam is a universal message for people in all climates, eras and circumstances, its fundamental obligations are applicable to anyone, anywhere. These obligations are often called the “five pillars of Islam”.

Belief in the Oneness of God

First, there is the unequivocal belief in God and His perfect Oneness. When a person embraces Islam, he or she simply states there is no deity worthy of worship but God (Allah), and Muhammad is His Messenger (Last & Final one).

This is called the “shahaadah”, or declaration of faith.

The Holy Qur’aan declares: “Allah! None has the right to be worshipped except He. He is The Ever-living, The Self-existing (The One who in fact sustains and protects all that exists). Neither sleep nor slumber overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth…. “ (Ch 2:255)

Daily prayer – bonding with The Creator

Second, Muslims observe the “salaah” – obligatory prayers– five times a day, at their appointed times.

The prayers are a graceful combination of specific motions (of standing, bowing and prostrating in humility and awe before God) and oral supplications (comprising deep-hearted declarations, praises of the Almighty and recitations of passages from the Holy Qur’aan).

Interestingly the times of the prayers are spread out during the day, from dawn to nightfall, and this keeps the Believer in constant bond with the Creator, God Almighty.

Charity or poor due – helping God’s creation

The third obligation upon a Muslim is “zakaah” – charity or the poor due. Muslims believe that everything in the universe belongs to God and that He has graciously entrusted humankind with the earth, it’s resources, etcetera.

They are enjoined to earn and spend their wealth properly and nobly. Giving zakaah, as a religious obligation, purifies the very wealth that they possess. Zakaah is the honorable act of setting aside a percentage of one’s yearly savings, once they have reached a certain threshold, for the sake of helping the poor and needy.

By giving the yearly zakaah, the believers free themselves from the chains of self- centrism, greed and sheer materialism.

For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:

MajlisulUlama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars

Publications Department

P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare

Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003

e-mail: [email protected]

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