Five Pillars Of Faith

written and contributed by Jamal Omar

On the authority of Abu Abdurahmaan Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ra), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

"Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the Salaah (prayer), paying the Zakah (obligatory charity), making the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadan."

5 Pillars

• Shahada - Means to witness. This is sometimes referred to as the testimony of faith and has two parts. The first part is: I bear witness that there is no God but God and He is One. The second part is: I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) is the last and final messenger. This is the statement that someone professes with their tongue to become a Muslim. Faith then follows by acting upon the two statements and following the commandments in the Qur'an and following the commandments of Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
• Salat - Means Prayer. Muslims have been legislated to pray five times a day just like all of the Prophets of Almighty God did, by prostrating, standing, and sitting. This is the daily communication of the Muslim with the Creator and the chance for repentance, supplication, and peace.
• Sawm - Means fasting. All Muslims of age must fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk. Fasting is the spiritual cleansing of the body, mind, and soul that the prophets used to get closer to God. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations with their spouses during the fasting time. Some Muslims also fast optionally throughout other times of the year. If someone is sick or traveling, they can skip fasting and make it up after Ramadan.
• Zakat - Means Charity. Muslims give a portion of their excess wealth to the poor and needy at least once a year. Poor people are not obligated to give zakat. Zakat allows the needy to buy clothes, food, medicine, and other supplies that are needed. We never know when we may be poor, so this is a way to help society to flourish. Also zakat helps to purify our wealth from corruption and pieces of wealth that may be from illegitimate sources.
• Hajj - Means Pilgrimage. Every Muslim who is able should make the annual journey to Makkah Saudi Arabia to perform the rights of Hajj and to commemorate our shared Prophet Abraham who was the father of all monotheistic religions - Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The Kabbah - the black box, is the oldest house of worship on the planet. It was built by Adam (Peace be upon Him) and re-sanctified by Abraham and Ishmael (Peace be upon Them).

As Muslims, these are the pillars that hold the house of worship for each and every Muslim. Muslims are constantly working on perfecting and correcting these five pillars. These five pillars are what makes the Muslims different from the rest of humanity on the planet. 

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