Mandatory pillars of Islam

10 May, 2015 - 00:05 0 Views
Mandatory pillars of Islam Prayer is an important aspect in Muslim culture

The Sunday Mail

Prayer is an important aspect in Muslim culture

Prayer is an important aspect in Muslim culture

THE Pillars of Islam (arkan al-Islam) are five basic acts in Islam, considered obligatory for all believers.

The Holy Qur’aan presents them as a framework for worship and a sign of commitment to the faith. They are the declaration of faith (shahaadah); daily prayers (sala); (fasting during the month of Ramadhaan — saum); alms-giving/charity (zakah); and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) at least once in a lifetime.

Shahaadah

The Shahaadah is the proclamation by a believer of his/her belief in the Oneness of God Almighty and the belief in the Prophethood/Messengership of Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him).

The declaration is thus, “I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship other than God alone (Allah) and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God Almighty.”

This testament is the foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God Almighty, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of His Last and Final Messenger to mankind — Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Salah

Daily prayers, called salah, must be performed five times a day. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God Almighty, and is seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship.

Each salah (prayer) is composed of some units of bowing and prostration before The Almighty, coupled with recitation of passages from the Holy Qur’aan.

The five daily salah are observed at a spread of times throughout the day starting with the first one just before sunrise; the second just after the noon (zenith); the third during the mid-afternoon; the fourth immediately after sunset and the last one during the early part of the night.

Each Salah, if correctly observed will only take between 10-15 minutes to fulfil and may be observed in congregation or individually.

It gives the believer a break from the mundane matters of the worldly life at regular intervals during the day and provides him/her with the constant opportunity of direct communion with The Almighty as well as a regular power boost in terms of spirituality — throughout the day.

Saum

Fasting (saum) is the abstinence from all food, drink and desires (among other things), from dawn to dusk, each day during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar — which is the month of Ramadhaan.

During Ramadhaan, Muslims get up early to have a pre-dawn meal, where after they will not have any food or drink throughout the day right through to sunset. It is only at sunset that they will break the day’s fast.

The fast is meant primarily to encourage a feeling of nearness to God Almighty and give believers great spiritual upliftment.

During the fast believers should express their gratitude for and dependence upon The Almighty, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy.

The fast also provides the believer the opportunity to “relax” and “cleanse” the digestive system which improves the general health and well-being.

Although fasting is beneficial to one’s health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God Almighty.

Zakah

Muslims believe that everything in the universe belongs to God Almighty and that He has graciously entrusted humankind with the earth, it’s resources and so forth.

They are enjoined to earn and spend their wealth properly and nobly.

Giving Zakah (charity or the poor due), as a religious obligation, purifies the very wealth that they possess. Zakah is the honourable 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 Zakah, 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, PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare, Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003, e-mail: [email protected].

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