Islam has its basic religious practices. They are the actions of the limbs manifesting the Iman (belief) that one has. These practices are a form of submission of oneself, a form of worship to Allah in a way that He accepts as how He prescribed. They are unique as they have precise expressions, precise procedures, and proper performances which cannot be performed in disorganized ways. One cannot argue the beauty of these practices which Allah has ordained as they are attuned to the nature of man, giving benefits to the soul and physical entity of man, even as an individual and as a community. We have to learn from Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH) as we cannot perform any forms of worship according to our desires.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, to offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly, to pay obligatory charity/Zakat, to perform Pilgrimage to Mecca/ Hajj, and to observe the fast during the month of Ramadan.”
1. The Testimony of Faith/ Shahadatain
The first pillar of Islam is the testimony of faith/ shahadatain (link to article shahadah). A Muslim testifies to his belief, pronouncing the simple statement in full consciousness and sincerity.
شْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ
"I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah".
Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna muhammadan rasuulullah.
This testimony consists of two components, first, negating and affirming that Allah alone is worthy to be worshipped, and second, accepting that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the messenger of Allah who is tasked to spread Allah’s message to mankind.
To embrace Islam, one has to declare this statement clearly, sincerely, and in full consciousness, in the presence of witnesses. Upon testifying his belief, he is bestowed all the due rights of a Muslim and is entrusted with all responsibilities of being a Muslim. This statement is not just a mere utterance of the tongue, but it is a vow for complete submission and commitment to Allah’s religion. He has proclaimed himself as a Muslim and therefore, the the testimony of faith/ shahadatain is the essence of the Islamic creed and the identity of the religion.
2. Establishing compulsory prayers/Salah
Prayer/Salah is the second pillar of Islam. It professes one’s belief in the physical actions of a body together with the presence of the heart. It is important to perform the compulsory Prayer/ Salah in its proper requirements and conditions (link to article 5 prayers) as brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The command to establish Salah is not new, but it was made obligatory to all prophets and all people even before the appointment of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For example, when Prophet Musa (PBUH) was receiving the Scripture at Mount Sinai, Allah spoke to him. “And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed [to you]. Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.”
Likewise, for Muslims, Salah is prescribed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) five times a day, on the night of the Night of Ascension /Isra’ and Mi’raj, to be made as an obligatory act of worship for all Muslims.
Salah is significant to the life of a Muslim as it will be the first act of worship to be accounted for in the Day of Judgement. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The first action for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayers/salah. If they are in order, he will have prospered and succeeded. If they are lacking, he will have failed and lost. If there is something defective in his obligatory prayers/salah, then the Almighty Lord will say: See if My servant has any voluntary prayers that can complete what is insufficient in his obligatory prayers. The rest of his deeds will be judged the same way.”
Aside from gaining rewards in the Hereafter for performing obligatory prayers/Salah, a Muslim will develop a sense of discipline and self-consciousness, knowing that there are specific times to perform his Salah. By doing so, he can attain a peaceful mind, healthy body, and harmonious life. These experiences can be enhanced when one performs Salah in congregation, hence, being able to socialise with others and reciprocating the love between congregants. However, knowing to perform this action is necessary, as Allah accepts Salah according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as he said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.”
3. Paying obligatory charity/Zakat
Obligatory Charity/ Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It is an annual contribution of wealth with a minimum amount to be given to specific groups of recipients that Allah has commanded. Performing this act will purify oneself from stinginess and miserliness, inculcating the sense of social consciousness, and being responsible for the needs of society. This will also be a reminder for him to be grateful for Allah's blessings. Apart from purifying oneself, it is also purifying the wealth from having the possibility of accumulating it out of justice (link to article zakat). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Whoever pays the obligatory charity/zakat on his wealth will have its evil removed from him."
This obligatory charity act is not to be confused with a general charity or donations known as Sadaqah. Obligatory Charity/ Zakat has its conditions and requirements as prescribed by Allah, starting from a precise amount to be given to the specific group of recipients which are stated in the Quran. General charity/Sadaqah, on the other hand, is to give contributions without a specific amount, specific recipients, and a restricted period. This shows that Obligatory Charity/Zakat, as it is obligatory upon all Muslims, is the first act to nurture being selfless and being content with what they have.
4. Fasting – Sawm
The fourth pillar of Islam is Fasting/Sawm, fasting in the month of Ramadhan. It is to abstain oneself from eating, drinking, and having sexual activity with their spouse from dawn to dusk. This act of worship is a strong way to develop self-restraint and to enhance spirituality and be closer to Allah.
The significance of fasting (link to article fasting) is not only beneficial for health but also for receiving special rewards from Allah. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)said: "There is no good deed that the son of Adam does, but between ten and seven hundred good deeds/Hasanahs will be recorded for him. Allah, the mighty and sublime, said: 'Except fasting, for it is for me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desires and his food for my sake.’”
5. Performing Pilgrimage to Mecca/Hajj
The last pillar of Islam is to perform, a pilgrimage to Mecca/Hajj, once in a lifetime when one has the means to perform it. This journey is special (link to article on hajj) as it is being performed in a sacred month and place, with specific actions that incorporate Prayer/Salah, Circumambulation/ Tawaf, walk from the mount of Safa to the mount of Marwa/ Sa’I, and to end the pilgrimage by shaving or cutting hair/ Tahallul. Having the means is to be able to finance the journey, having good health, knowing the journey is safe, and having all responsibilities toward family to be taken care of. These are the preparations needed before one embarks on the journey to fulfil the last pillar of Islam.
As this obligation requires more effort and sacrifices, the reward of performing it is as though one is being born anew. Prophet Muhamad (PBUH) said: “Whoever performs the pilgrimage to this House and does not utter any obscenity or commit sin/ Yarfuth, will go back as (on the day) his mother bore him.”
Conclusion
These acts of worship are the fundamentals of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) linked these to the pillars of building a house. If the pillars are strong, the house is strong, and if the pillars are weak, the house will not be able to provide proper support for its residents. Therefore, a Muslim is obliged to perform these five pillars to his or her capabilities.
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