The five Islamic pillars likewise alluded to as “Arkan al-din” or “the pillars of religion”; include five authority acts considered compulsory for all Muslims. The Quran presents them as a structure for love and an indication of duty to confidence. The five columns are the ‘shahada’ customary recognition of the five recommended day by day supplications to God (“salat”), paying of “zakah”, referred to as almsgiving, fasting referred to as “sawm” or “siyyam” amid the month of Ramadan, and execution of the hajj which is in any event rare for the individuals who are able(Armstrong 2002, p 42-44).
‘‘Shahada’’ pillar is taken to be the first of the five pillars. It is a representation of the Muslim calling of confidence. It communicates two of the essential convictions that makes one a complete Muslim. The two essential convictions
...require realizing that “La ilaha illa Allah” and also that "Muhammad Rasul Allah" (Wheeler 2001, pg 36).
At the point when this is deciphered, it implies that "There is no true god however God and Muhammad are the prophets of God". Its essentialness is to exhibit responsibility and acknowledgment. Reciting the ‘shahada’ is the calling of Islamic confidence and one of the major mainstays of the Islamic religion which is the premise of transformation to Islam. Presenting this vow, which states, which simply means that there is no God other god but God and Muhammad is His Messenger, permits Muslims to show affirmation and obligation to Islam (Wheeler 2001, p36).
The second Islamic pillar is the pillar of “salat”, which is typically alluded to as Muslim prayer to God. “salat” is performed five times each day: at first light “al-fajr”, noontime
“al-zuhr”, evening “Al-'asr”, dusk “al-maghrib” and evening “al-'isha”. It's coordinated in the course “qibla” of the Ka'ba place of worship in Mecca. A prayer to God mat, “Sajjad”, is utilized amid “salat”. “salat” might be performed independently; however it conveys exceptional legitimacy when finished with different Muslims.
The central prayer to God of the week is the late morning petition to God at the mosque on Fridays. “salat” signifies the Association with God and Fellow Muslims. The pillar of “salat” obliges Muslims to offer prayers to prayers to Allah five times a day at particular times serving a particular purpose. In the first place, it unites Muslims across the world as they face Mecca while offering their prayers at the same time and complete with particular words and movements. Praying five times a day is beneficial to the adherents because they are fulfilling Allah’s commandment (Armstrong 2002, p 37).
The third pillar is paying the alms tax ‘zakat which refers to giving ‘zakat (Supporting the Needy): Alms giving is a focal movement in Islam. This is the requirement of Quran (9:60), and often it is placed alongside prayer when reciting a Muslim's rite. "Perform the petition to God and give the contributions." 2:43, 110, 277 (Wheeler, 2001). ‘zakat is guided by five principles that ought to be taken after when giving the ‘zakat’. The five principles are:
I. The giver must pronounce to God his aim to give the ‘zakat’.
II. The ‘zakat’ has to be paid on the exact day it is expected.
III. After the offering, the prayer offered should not overstate on spending his money beyond his limits or expected means.
IV. The payment should be in kind.
This implies that if one is well off then, he or she needs to pay a bit of their income. If one incapable, then he should compensate for it using alternative means, for example, great deeds and great conduct toward others.
V. The ‘zakat’ must be circulated in the group from which it was taken.
All things fit in with God, and riches are in this way held by people in trust. Giving ‘zakat’ signifies 'giving a predetermined rate on specific properties to specific classes of destitute individuals. A man might likewise give as much as he or she satisfies as willful donations or philanthropy. Another significance of ‘zakat’ is to mitigate poverty.
‘Zakat’ is a beneficent assessment, used to help poor people, and is accepted to clean increment and favor the rest of one's riches. For one to calculate ‘zakat’, he should consider the 2.5 percent of his total property, taking into consideration different things, including investment funds and the estimation of property. Paying ‘zakat’ is another piece of complying with Allah's commandments and acquiring his support while helping the individuals who are in need to better the world (Armstrong 2002, p 44).
The fourth pillar is the pillar of ‘sawn’ (Fasting during the month of Ramadan). ‘Sawm’ is also known as ‘siyam’, which simply means fasting to honor the disclosure of the Quran to mankind amid Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. Amid this period, all adult Muslims are required to refrain from nourishment, drink, and sex amid daytime hours. The only group of people exempted from this exercise travelers, soldiers, menstruating women, and the sick. However such people are expected to compensate later when
they are able. This activity is carried out in every year. Despite the fact that the fasting is helpful to oneself, it is viewed primarily as a technique for profound self-cleaning. By keeping away from common solaces,although for a short time, a fasting individual increases genuine sensitivity for the individuals who go hungry, and hence extends a hand of charity to the needy.
The ‘sawn’’s significance is mainly for reinforcing the Spirit, Understanding Poverty, and Promoting Unity among the adherents. Amid the sacred month of Ramadan, Muslims rehearse the pillar of ‘sawn’, fasting from dawn to dusk while abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse. This pillar enables helps Muslims to reduce any urge to accumulate material goods, purging their hearts and building up solidarity with the needy to energize magnanimous works. After a day of fasting, Muslims impart a supper to family and companions, sharing in group and harmony (Wheeler 2001, p 42).
The fifth and the last pillar is the pilgrimage to Mecca. This takes place in the month of “Dhu al-Hijjah”, during the first ten days. Every Muslim, who is physically and financially capable of traveling and in a position to perform all the required rites, is required to make the Hajj. The mandatory rites to be carried out include putting on of the ihram which is unsewn cloth symbolizing humility and equality of believers, circumambulation of the ‘Kaaba’, remaining at the plain of Arafat, spending the night at ‘Muzdalifa’, tossing stones at three images of Satan, penance of a creature at Mina, reiteration of the circumambulation of the ‘Kaaba’, taking of water from the ‘Zamzam’ well, and execution of two cycles of petition
to God at the Station of Abraham (Wheeler 2001, p 48).
The hajj can be viewed as complete without performing the majority of the required customs, yet the explorer must pay reparation for the inability to finish them. Amid the hajj, the traveler is to abstain from contemplating anything besides the recognition of God and the ceremonies of the journey, subsequent to the circumambulation of the ‘Kaaba’, as an authoritative request to God, symbolizes the adherent's passageway into the heavenly vicinity.
References
- Armstrong, K. (2002). Islam: A short history. New York: Modern Library.
- Wheeler, B. M. (2001). Introduction to the Quran: Stories of the prophets. New York: Continuum.
