10. THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Worship in Islam is an all-inclusive term for all actions and statements that Allah loves and approves of. Every virtuous action which is performed with the intention of carrying out the commandments of Allah and seeking His pleasure is considered to be an act of worship. Islam is built on five acts of worship which are the foundations from which all deeds emanate. They stand as the framework of spiritual life on which the structure of Islam rests. They are the following:
1. The declaration of the two testimonies of faith
“I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.” The sincere declaration of this double testimony (also referred to as the testimony of monotheism) and adherence to this teachings automatically brings one within the fold of Islam and dying while believing it guarantees one a place in paradise. This is why this testimony is considered to be the cornerstone of Islam.
The acceptance of this belief distinguishes the Muslim from the non-Muslim. Hence, all actions depend upon this pillar; deeds (no matter how great) are of no avail to a person if he or she does not utter this testimony. However, there are many acts which may contradict this declaration and expel its doer from Islam as quickly as he or she came in. The most serious of those acts is worshipping other than Allah whether in the form of supplication, prayer or other acts that signify worship or belief in other than Allah.
2. Prayers
Formal prayers are prescribed five times daily as a duty to Allah at the following times: dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and nightfall. A Muslim may offer formal prayers almost anywhere as long as the location is clean. Muslim males are enjoined to pray in congregation in a mosque, while females are encouraged to pray in their homes. Prayer provides humans with regular contact with Allah, which helps them avoid evil. Furthermore, it is symbolic of equality of poor and rich, ruler and subject, dark- skinned and fair-skinned. Human beings from every conceivable background stand together, united in rows, shoulder to shoulder, and prostrate themselves before Allah.
Prayer strengthens the belief in Allah and elevates the human being to a higher morality. It helps to purify the heart and prevent temptation towards wrongdoing and evil. This act of worship compels the believers to remember their Lord no matter where they are, night or day. In this way, prayer is continuously taking place throughout the entire world at any given moment.
3. Zakâh (Obligatory charity)
Every Muslim whose net annual savings are above a certain specified minimum must pay an annual amount of 2.5% of those savings to the poor and the needy people in the community. Zakâh fosters generosity and helps purify the soul of selfishness and greed. Zakâh also helps reduce resentment and envy between the poor and the rich members of the society. Islam is a practical religion. Not only does it safeguard the average individual and his or her rights, it protects the rights of the weaker members of the community as well.
4. Fasting the month of Ramadan
Fasting in Islam means abstinence from food, drink and sexual acts from dawn to sunset. It is an annual obligation during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Fasting was imposed on former communities of believers in earlier divine religions. The Qur’an states that the main purpose of fasting is to help us be more conscious of Allah and more obedient to Him. It teaches sincerity and engenders devotion. It helps us develop a sense of social conscience, patience, self-restraint, will power and compassion for needy members of the society.
Someone might ask: Why has Allah, in His wisdom, prescribed fasting for many nations?
The answer is that the purpose of fasting is clearly defined as being for the development of Allah-consciousness (piety) in the believer’s heart, since only Allah knows who is actually fasting and who is not. Consequently, the one who is fasting refrains from eating and drinking based on an awareness of Allah. Regular fasting enhances that awareness, which subsequently leads to the implanting of righteousness in the heart of the individual.
As a secondary benefit, fasting is very beneficial to one’s health. It purifies the body of toxins; it is a rest from the useless waste cluttering the body. It allows the body to recuperate and heal. It trains the body, as well as the mind, to function with an amount of food that is sufficient. Also, the needs of basic instincts of survival are kept in check, and when the individual is able to control these, other needs will be easier to control. In return for this sacrifice, Allah grants the believers great rewards and forgiveness of their sins.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah)
The Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim once in a lifetime, if one can afford it financially and bear it physically. During the Hajj, Muslims from all corners of the world meet in an international congregation dedicated to the worship of Allah. It is a great lesson in patience. The huge gatherings for the Hajj are a reminder of the Day of Judgement when all of humankind will gather for their reckoning. It emphasizes the belief that all Muslims are brothers and sisters, irrespective of their geographical, cultural, racial or social origins.
Source: (THE PURPOSE OF CREATION)
Compiled by Majed S. Al-Rassi
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