The Messenger of Allah, peace be on him, said:-
Islam is built on five pillars:1. ash-Shahaadah (the profession of
faith) which must he recited by anyone embracing Islam. ( La ilaha
i11a/lah, Muhammad Rasoolullah ) meaning: « There is no true god
except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah». This means
that there is no god worthy of being worshipped but Allah, and that He
must be worshipped only according to the teaching of His Messenger
Muhammad peace he on him.2. Salat ( prayer ), which
must he performed five times a day. The first is Fajr prayer, [two
rak'aat (units)]; which may he performed between dawn and sunrise. The
second. Dhuhr. just afternoon. [four rak'aat]. The third Asr. in the
later afternoon. [four rak'aat]. The fourth. Maghrib. [three rak'aat]
immediately after sunset. The fifth. Isha'. [four rak'aat], after the
sun's redness disappears from the horizon. Prayer, however, must he
preceded by ablution which is washing hands, face, wiping over the
head, washing the forearms and the feet.Prayer is one of the greatest pillars of
Islam. It is the first act of worship about which man shall he asked on
the Day of Reckoning. If it is accepted by Allah, then the rest of
man's good deeds are accepted took.3. Zakat ( the poor-due ) is
one of the greatest financial institutions of Islam, literally meaning
'purification', indicating that such a payment makes the rest of the
Muslim's wealth pure. Zakat is levied annually on certain types of food
grain, cattle and cash possessed for one lunar calendar year to be
given out to the poor, the needy and other specified classes of people.4. Sawm ( fasting ) to be
observed during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim
lunar calendar). It begins at daybreak ( dawn ), and ends at sunset.
Eating, drinkingi4 and sexual activities with one's wife are forbidden.Besides health benefits which one gains
through fasting it is an act of worship which helps one who observes it
attain piety, humbleness and share the feelings of the beret and hungry
in the community. Fasting also allows one to be more benevolent and
charitable.5. HaiJ ( pilgrimage ) to
Makkah, prescribed for those Muslims who can afford the trip
financiallyS and health 13. Man shall be held accountable for every
minute and thing he does, and shall stand all by himself on the Day of
Judgment or Reckoning to be questioned by the Almighty Allah. Every one
shall be held accountable for his own deedsThe I if e in the Hereaher is either
everlasting happiness or everlasting torment .14. Drinking, refers to water, fruit juices
and other non-alcholic and soft drinks; liquour and smoking are
prohibited in Islam.15. This means that one must have enough
provisions for his journey and for his family during his absence. wise,
once in a lifetime. The Hajj rites take place during the Islamic or
lunar months of Shawwal, Dthul-Qi'dah and the first ten days of
Dthu-Hijjah only. It is a precondition for the pilgrim to enter the
state of Ihram'6 at a certain point before entering the boundries of
Makkah.16. Abram is the intention to perform Hajj
or Umrah by wrapping a piece of cloth covering his body from the chest
down. Another piece of cloth covers the upper body: excluding the head.
Ihram makes it unlawful for the pilgrim to wear sewed garments. shoes.
to have sexual activities with his wife, to hunt and the like. Under
normal circumstances, once a Muslim enters the state of Ihram, he may
not break it until he has completed all Hajj or Umrah rituals. But if
one is held hack from completing Hajj or Umrah. for health reason, fear
of enemy or great danger, he may then quit his Ihram and sacrifice a
sheep. goat, cow or camel as an expiation.
