Simple Islam Present
(The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), testifying (the fact) that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His bondsman and messenger, and the establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, Pilgrimage to the House (Ka’ba) and the fast of Ramadan. [Sahih Muslim]
The belief that `There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah` is central to Islam. This phrase, written in Arabic, is often prominently featured in architecture and a range of objects, including the Qur'an, Islam's holy book of divine revelations. One becomes a Muslim by reciting this phrase with conviction. The shahadah expresses a Muslim’s complete acceptance and total commitment to Islam. It distinguishes Muslims from those of other faiths. It is the central belief that a believer maintains throughout his life, and is the basis for all his beliefs and worship.
It is the act of worship, like the remembrance of Allah Almighty, the recitation of the Quran, and standing humbly before Allah.
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and establishing prayer and giving Zakah. And that is the correct religion.” [Quran 98: 5]
The most important pillar of Islam among the 5 pillars after the Shahadah. One might wonder why Muslims have to perform salah five-time every day. The timing of these prayers is set throughout the day so that one is constantly reminded of Allah and given opportunities to seek His guidance and forgiveness.
Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Prayer includes a recitation of the opening chapter (sura) of the Qur'an. Muslims can pray individually at any location or together in a mosque, where a leader in prayer (imam) guides the congregation. Men gather in the mosque for the noonday prayer on Friday (Jumma Prayer), before the prayer, a sermon focuses on a passage from the Qur'an, followed by prayers by the imam and a discussion of a particular religious topic.
It means to purify one’s possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount to the poor as a fundamental Ibaadat.Wherever salaat is mentioned, the order for Zakat is there almost every time. Zakat was made compulsory at Makkah at the same time as Salaat; the Surahs of the Qur’an can verify this information. Zakat is mentioned seventy times in the Quran.
And establish prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. Indeed Allah, what you do, is See. (Quran 2:110) The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. So Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases. (Quran 2:261).
During the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, all healthy adult Muslims are required to Fast (refraining from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk). Fasting is also a practice of self-control whereby if someone is fasting with faith and for the sake of Allah Almighty, his sins will be forgiven.
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become righteous (Quran 2:183)
Through this temporary deprivation, they renew their awareness of and gratitude for everything God has provided in their lives—including the Qur'an, which was first revealed during this month. During Ramadan they share the hunger and thirst of the needy as a reminder of the religious duty to help those less fortunate.
Every Muslim whose health and finances permit it must make at least one visit to the holy city of Mecca (i.e. Perform Hajj), in present-day Saudi Arabia. It is the most remarkable spiritual gathering of Muslims worldwide to the Holy city.
In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told about the importance of Hajj as it is narrated in the Hadith
“Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”
