What are the Five Pillars of Islam and why are they the basis for the Muslim religion?
The Five Pillars are the frameworks of a Muslim's life. Revealed to the prophet Muhammad
by Allah, the Five Pillars are the basis of Islamic religion. "On another occasion, when
the prophet (Muhammad) was asked to give a definition of Islam, he named those five
pillars."(www.unn.ac.uk...) The Five Pillars are: bearing witness to Allah, establishing
prayers, giving alms, fasting during Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Five
Pillars are the major duties in the life of a Muslim.
Shahadah is the first of the Five Pillars in Islam. More specifically, Shahadah is a
declaration of faith. Included in this manifesto, a Muslim proclaims that Allah is the
only God and Muhammad is His messenger. "He recognizes that God alone is the creator,
that He alone is the Provider and Sustainer, that He is the true Reality, the source of
all things - of all benefit and harm."(http://salam.muslimsonline.com...) Muslims
acknowledge that Allah has all authority and that Muhammad is the last prophet in a long
line of prophets sent by Allah. A declaration of faith is the first pillar of Islam.
Another pillar is the establishment of frequent prayer. Prayer in Islam is otherwise
referred to as Salah. Salah is performed five times everyday. "No other form of worship
can be compared to prayer(Salah), for it is the basis of religion, without which there is
no religion." ( http://salam.muslimsonline.com...) Salah is a direct link between Allah
and His worshipper. Rather that a priest, a learned person in the Qur'an leads group
prayers. Salah, or obligatory prayers, is a pillar of Islam.
The practice of performing charitable acts is another pillar of Islam. Zakat, a tax, is a
required expenditure for Muslims each year. The word Zakat means both purification and
growth. "Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need,
and like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new
growth."(http://home.mweb.co.za/ka/...) Besides the Zakat, a Muslim may give additional
alms if they choose to do so. Charity is an important principle in Islamic religion.
Observation of the fast of the holy month of Ramadan is another pillar of Islam. During
Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and marital intercourse during
daylight hours. "This teaches the believers patience and self- control, as well as
reminding them of their responsibility for the millions of human beings in the world who
lack provisions or are victims of their unjust distribution."
(http://salam.muslimsonline.com...) Manners and righteous deeds are also stressed during
the fast of Ramadan.
The last pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage to Mecca. According to Muslim tradition,
"Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah is an obligation only for those who are physically
and financially able to perform it." (http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu./...) Pilgrims who
participate in Hajj wear very simple garments so that all people stand equal before God.
Muslims pray for Allah's forgiveness while they fulfill the duty that is their pilgrimage
to Mecca.
The Five Pillars are the basis of Islamic religion because they structure the spiritual
life of a Muslim person. "Islam has five primary obligations or pillars of faith that
each Muslim must fulfill in his or her lifetime." (www.unn.ac.uk...) The Five Pillars
help Muslims in their lives because Islam is essentially personal or between God and the
believer. The Five Pillars are an integral part of a Muslim person's spiritual life