What are the pillars of Islam?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

اْلإِسْلاَمُ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُوْلُ اللهِ، وَتُقِيْمَ الصَّلاَةَ، وَتُؤْتِيَ الزَّكاَةَ، وَتَصُوْمَ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجَّ الْبَيْتَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيْلاً

“Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) the journey.” (HR. Muslim No 8)
 
  • Saying that you testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhmmad is the messenger of Allah. This is called the Shahadat.
  • Prayer is a physical act (body)
  • Fasting in Ramadhan is a physical act (body)
  • Zakat is a deed in which a person has to give a portion of their wealth to charity (property)
  • Pilgrimage, also known as Hajj in Arabic, is a deed you perform with your body and property
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Shahadat

Shahadat is an act in which you testify and believe that there is no God who is entitled to be worshiped except for Allah and that the Muhammad is His servant and messenger. The shahadat implies that when you worship Allah, you cannot associate any partner with him or have any intermediary such as using jinn (a supernatural being), man or his graves, statues, other creatures etc. When Muslims worship Allah, they follow the examples displayed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا

“And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from.” (Surah Al Hasyr 59:7)
 

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:31)
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Shahadat

Shahadat is an act in which you testify and believe that there is no God who is entitled to be worshiped except for Allah and that the Muhammad is His servant and messenger. The shahadat implies that when you worship Allah, you cannot associate any partner with him or have any intermediary such as using jinn (a supernatural being), man or his graves, statues, other creatures etc. When Muslims worship Allah, they follow the examples displayed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا

“And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from.” (Surah Al Hasyr 59:7)
 

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:31)
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Prayer

Prayer is done until the person’s last breath. Allah said:

أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا

“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.” (Surah Al Isra 17:78)
The command to pray five times a day was revealed during Isra and Mi’raj, a journey that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took in a single night around the year 621 CE. Here are the five daily prayers:
 
  1. Fajr prayer. It consists of two units of prayer and can be performed from the beginning of dawn until before sunrise.
  2. Dhuhr prayer. It consists of four units of prayer and can be performed right after noon  and before Asr time.
  3. Asr prayer. It consists of four units of prayer and can be performed in the afternoon when the shadow of one’s object is longer than the object itself. Asr prayer time ends when the sun sets.
  4. Maghrib prayer. It consists of three units of prayer. It starts just after sunset and ends when Isha prayer starts.
  5. Isha prayer. It consists of four units of prayer. It can be performed when complete darkness has arrived and when twilight has gone. Isha prayer lasts until the dawn of the next day.
There are many components of prayer:
 
  • The intention to pray
  • Recite the Takbirah al-Ihram (to say that Allah is Great)
  • Stand up (one can sit or lie down if they are not physically able to stand)
  • Recite Surah Al-Fatihah (the first chapter of the Quran)
  • Ruku’ (bowing)
  • I’tidal (standing up after bowing)
  • Sujud (prostration)
  • Sitting after prostration
  • Sujud again (prostrate again)
  • Thuma’ninah (a pause that is done during prostration, bowing and sitting)
  • Tashahhud and Taslim (a specific recitation that one does when sitting down during prayer)
  • The series of movements and recitations should be done in the correct order

Requirements for prayer:

  • A sane mind
  • Attained puberty
  • At a state of Islamic purification (e.g. performed ablution, non menstruating)
  • The clothes, place and body should be clean
  • Perform the prayer at the correct time
  • Cover the aurat (body parts that cannot be seen by the public)
  • Facing the Qibla (where the Ka’baa, the holy structure in Islam, is)
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Prayer

Prayer is done until the person’s last breath. Allah said:

أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا

“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.” (Surah Al Isra 17:78)
 
The command to pray five times a day was revealed during Isra and Mi’raj, a journey that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took in a single night around the year 621 CE. Here are the five daily prayers:
  1. Fajr prayer. It consists of two units of prayer and can be performed from the beginning of dawn until before sunrise.
  2. Dhuhr prayer. It consists of four units of prayer and can be performed right after noon  and before Asr time.
  3. Asr prayer. It consists of four units of prayer and can be performed in the afternoon when the shadow of one’s object is longer than the object itself. Asr prayer time ends when the sun sets.
  4. Maghrib prayer. It consists of three units of prayer. It starts just after sunset and ends when Isha prayer starts.
  5. Isha prayer. It consists of four units of prayer. It can be performed when complete darkness has arrived and when twilight has gone. Isha prayer lasts until the dawn of the next day.
There are many components of prayer:
  • The intention to pray
  • Recite the Takbirah al-Ihram (to say that Allah is Great)
  • Stand up (one can sit or lie down if they are not physically able to stand)
  • Recite Surah Al-Fatihah (the first chapter of the Quran)
  • Ruku’ (bowing)
  • I’tidal (standing up after bowing)
  • Sujud (prostration)
  • Sitting after prostration
  • Sujud again (prostrate again)
  • Thuma’ninah (a pause that is done during prostration, bowing and sitting)
  • Tashahhud and Taslim (a specific recitation that one does when sitting down during prayer)
  • The series of movements and recitations should be done in the correct order

Requirements for prayer:

  • A sane mind
  • Attained puberty
  • At a state of Islamic purification (e.g. performed ablution, non menstruating)
  • The clothes, place and body should be clean
  • Perform the prayer at the correct time
  • Cover the aurat (body parts that cannot be seen by the public)
  • Facing the Qibla (where the Ka’baa, the holy structure in Islam, is)
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Zakat

Zakat is when one gives a portion of their wealth to charity. Those that receive the zakat should fall under a specific category of people. Zakat is a means for people to purify their wealth. Allah says:

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [ Allah ‘s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Surah At Taubah 9:103)

There are two types of Zakat:

  1. Zakat al-Fitr: This is done during the Islamic celebration called ‘Eid-al-Fitr that happens after the fasting month of Ramadhan. The amount paid is similar to 3kg of rice or wheat that is found locally.
  2. Zakat al-Mal is compulsory for those who have attained a certain amount of wealth (nisab) and ownership of some types of assets for one lunar year (haul). There are several kinds of wealth that must be paid as zakat such as revenue, agricultural, livestock, treasure, investment, gold and silver, mining products and income. Some scholars have different opinions about zakat on income. The scholars who believe there is zakat on income compare it to zakat on agricultural harvest.

Allah says:

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ

“And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:43)
 
People that are entitled to receive Zakat:

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (QS At Taubah 9:60)
 
 

Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Zakat

Zakat is when one gives a portion of their wealth to charity. Those that receive the zakat should fall under a specific category of people. Zakat is a means for people to purify their wealth. Allah says:

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [ Allah ‘s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Surah At Taubah 9:103)

There are two types of Zakat:

  1. Zakat al-Fitr: This is done during the Islamic celebration called ‘Eid-al-Fitr that happens after the fasting month of Ramadhan. The amount paid is similar to 3kg of rice or wheat that is found locally.
  2. Zakat al-Mal is compulsory for those who have attained a certain amount of wealth (nisab) and ownership of some types of assets for one lunar year (haul). There are several kinds of wealth that must be paid as zakat such as revenue, agricultural, livestock, treasure, investment, gold and silver, mining products and income. Some scholars have different opinions about zakat on income. The scholars who believe there is zakat on income compare it to zakat on agricultural harvest.

Allah says:

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ

“And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:43)
 
People that are entitled to receive Zakat:

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (QS At Taubah 9:60)

Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Fasting in Ramadhan

Fasting is when you refrain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk with the intention of worshiping Allah. It is compulsory for Muslims who have reached puberty, have a sane mind, are not travelling and are not nursing after childbirth. With regards to Muslim women, they cannot fast when they are menstruating. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
 
Ramadhan is a month full of blessings where the reward you get from Allah for doing good deeds and worshiping Him is greater. Therefore it is encouraged for Muslims to pray Tarawih (an optional prayer that is done after Isha prayer), reading the Quran, give to charity and perform Zikr (remembering Allah). 
 
Here are some actions that are encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan with regards to fasting:
 
  • Eating a meal before dawn, preferably right before Fajr prayer
  • Hastening to break the fast
  • Break your fast with dates or water if there are no dates
  • Providing food for others who are breaking their fast
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Fasting in Ramadhan

Fasting is when you refrain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk with the intention of worshiping Allah. It is compulsory for Muslims who have reached puberty, have a sane mind, are not travelling and are not nursing after childbirth. With regards to Muslim women, they cannot fast when they are menstruating. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)
 

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
 
Ramadhan is a month full of blessings where the reward you get from Allah for doing good deeds and worshiping Him is greater. Therefore it is encouraged for Muslims to pray Tarawih (an optional prayer that is done after Isha prayer), reading the Quran, give to charity and perform Zikr (remembering Allah). 
 
Here are some actions that are encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan with regards to fasting:
 
  • Eating a meal before dawn, preferably right before Fajr prayer
  • Hastening to break the fast
  • Break your fast with dates or water if there are no dates
  • Providing food for others who are breaking their fast
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Hajj

It is compulsory to perform Hajj, or pilgrimage, once in your lifetime. The other times after that are considered supererogatory. It should not be delayed if you are healthy and have the money to travel and take care of your family while you are gone. Allah says:

 وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:97)
 
Those who perform the Hajj sincerely and correctly will get heaven. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

والْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلاَّ الْجَنَّةُ

“And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” (HR Al Bukhari No 1773)
 
Unfortunately, not everyone that performs Hajj will have their Hajj accepted. For example those who are insincere and perform Hajj to gain a good reputation. Only Allah knows who is genuine and who isn’t.
 
Besides a sincere intention, for your Hajj to get accepted, you should make sure that the wealth that you’ve used should be halal (wealth that is earned through permissible actions e.g. not stolen money), the Hajj that you’ve performed is in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and during the Hajj you should not act immoral. After completing the Hajj, the experience should make you want to be more pious
Pillars of Islam – Introduction

Hajj

It is compulsory to perform Hajj, or pilgrimage, once in your lifetime. The other times after that are considered supererogatory. It should not be delayed if you are healthy and have the money to travel and take care of your family while you are gone. Allah says:

 وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:97)
 
Those who perform the Hajj sincerely and correctly will get heaven. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

والْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلاَّ الْجَنَّةُ

“And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” (HR Al Bukhari No 1773)
 
Unfortunately, not everyone that performs Hajj will have their Hajj accepted. For example those who are insincere and perform Hajj to gain a good reputation. Only Allah knows who is genuine and who isn’t.
 
Besides a sincere intention, for your Hajj to get accepted, you should make sure that the wealth that you’ve used should be halal (wealth that is earned through permissible actions e.g. not stolen money), the Hajj that you’ve performed is in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and during the Hajj you should not act immoral. After completing the Hajj, the experience should make you want to be more pious
© Indonesian Muslim Association in Hong Kong 2024

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