There are five pillars of Islam: declaring the Oneness of Allah (SWT) (God), praying five times a day, taking care of the needy and poor, self purifying by fasting the month of ramdan and performing the pilgrimage once in a life, if one is able to. Muslims are obliged to practice these five pillars of Islam.
the Shahadah is the most fundamental belief of a Muslim, this is where a Muslim declares his faith. When one recites the Shahadah the following is said: "La ilaha illallahu Muhammadur rasulullah" (There is no god except Allah (SWT) and Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah (SWT)). The shahdah can be broken down into two parts:
Decalring the oneness of Allah (SWT) - where is a Muslim states that Allah (SWT) is the Most Highest and He alone should be worshipped, and there is no another god besides Him.
Declaring the Prophethood of Muhammad - Muslims believe Muhammad (SAW) is the last and final Prophet of Allah (SWT) and he was sent to guide the whole of mankind to the light of Islam. Muhammad (SAW) is also known as "the seal of the Prophethood" as he was the last Prophet sent down to mankind.
Five times daily prayer. A Muslim is obligated to pray five times a day everyday at fixed times. The five prayers are carried out at different times during the day and must be performed in their correct times. There are many reasons why a Muslim prays, first and foremost it is a command from Allah (SWT), and so to be a good Muslim one must follow the commands of Allah (SWT), therefore performing the daily prayers is required. Prayers are a constant reminder to us all that we are mere mortals and that we are the servants of Allah (SWT), as prayer is performed five times a day everyday, it gives us the opportunity to remind ourselves of Allah (SWT) everyday. As well as that prayer is also seen a means of wiping ones sins, as we are all human beings and are prone to making mistakes and committing bad deeds, prayer is a perfect means to rectify out mistakes and gain the pleasure of Allah (SWT).
Zakah - literally means to "purify" or "cleanse" oneself. This is achieved by the rich giving a certain percentage of their wealth to the poor and the less able who aren’t able to provide the basic necessities to survive on. This purifies oneself from the selfishness and greed of material assets and encourages people to spend in the way of Allah (SWT). Zakah is the obligatory charity which must be paid it is different to Sadaqah which is known as the optional charity. The word "Sadqah" has a broader meaning, for an instance, Prophet (SAW) said: "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity". Zakah must be paid by the following:
How much of a person pays in zakah is determined by the nature of their livestock. Generally, it is 2.5% of one's wealth. Zakah is received by the following:
The Prophet (SAW) said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet (SAW) replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet (SAW) said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked: 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet (pbuh) said: 'He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet (SAW) said: 'He should restrain himself from doing evil. That is also charity'".
The punishment for the failure of paying zakah when it was obligatory on you isn't a light one, the verses from the Qur'an clearly states the punishment (interpretation of the meaning): "There are people who hide their gold and silver to keep it and not spend it in the cause of Allah. Inform them of a painful punishment. On the day when the fire of hell will be heated with the wealth they hid, they will be burned on their forehead with a branding iron and on their sides and back. The will be told, 'Here is the treasure which you hid for yourselves. Now taste the worth of what you hid' [9:34-35]. However, just as there is great punishment of not paying your zakah there is also great reward in doing so. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning): "Whoever spends their wealth in the cause of Allah and doesn’t follow their gifts with reminders of how generous they were, nor with hurtful humiliation, they shall have their reward with Allah and they will not be afraid nor will they be sad" [2:262]. So those spending money or wealth for the cause of Allah will never be losers!
Saum (Fast) - Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light of dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouse. Those, who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an (interpretation of meaning): "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil); (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know [2:183-184].
Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty although many start earlier. During her menses, a woman is prohibited from fasting and she has to fast the same number of days later. Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth is one's spiritual life.
Hajj (Pilgrimage) - The annual Hajj (Pilgrimage) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before Allah (SWT). Pilgrims praying at the Haram mosque in Makkah. In this mosque is the Kaaba (the black building in the picture) which Muslims turn toward when praying. The Kaaba is the place of worship which Allah (SWT) commanded the Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham - Peace be upon him) and his son, Ishmael, to build.
The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together in Arafa and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment. The end of the Hajj is marked by a festival, Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers. This, and Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the two annual festivals of the Muslim calendar.
wallahu a'lam (and Allah knows best)
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