The pillars of islam are the framework of a muslim’s life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadhan, the pilgrimage to makkah once in lifetime for those who are able.
The first pillar is the testimony of faith, that is saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah” this saying means “there is no true good bad God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger (prophet) of God.” The first part “there is no true god but God,” means that none is to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son. This testimony of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which should be said with conviction in order to convert to islam. The testimony of faith i the most important pillar of islam.
The second pillar is prayer. Muslims perform’five prayers a day. Each prayer does hot take more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer in Islam is a direct link between God and the worshipper. In prayer a person feels inner happines, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her. The prophet Muhammad said: (Bilal, call (the people) to prayers let us be comforted by it.). Bilal was one of Muhammad’s companions who was charged to call the people to prayers. Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, ang night. A muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities.
Giving Zakat “(support of the needy) is the third pillar of islam. The original meaning of the word zakat is both ’purification’and’growth.’ Giving zakat means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain classes of needy people.’ The percentage which is due on gold, silver, and/or cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession in one lunar year is two and a half percent. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Besides, a person may also give as much as he or she pleases as voluntary alms or charity (shadaqah).
The fourth pillar is fasting for the Month of Ramadan. Every year in the month of Ramadan, a muslim fasts from food, drink, and sexual relations. Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as method of spiritual self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.
The pilgrimage to Makkah is the final pillar. The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to makkah ia an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About two million people from every corner of the globe go to makkah each year to perform it. Although makkah always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Male pilgrims wear simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before God. The rite of the Hajj includes circling the kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water. 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 pf the Day of Judgment. The endc 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.
The five activities are important for every Muslim to do. Therefore, they constitute the pillars of Islam.
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