The Five Pillars Of Islam

1996 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Compare and contrast the Koran and the Bible

The Five Pillars of Islam

"La ilaha ila Allah; Muhammadur-rasul Allah," There is no god but Allah; Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah. This essential phrase in Islam is termed "Shahadah" which literally means "to witness" and is the first pillar of Islam. Any Muslim or any individual that wants to convert to Islam must recite and more importantly, must truly believe this statement. It is the first words that are heard through the ears of a newborn, and is stressed from thereon as soon as an individual is capable of rationale. It is stressed in prayer everyday, five times. The first part clearly illustrates the oneness of Allah, acknowledging His absolute superiority and power. By reciting this, one truly believes that only Allah is worthy of worship. The second part of the Shahadah involves the belief in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the final messenger of Allah. When reciting this, one has faith in the guidance of Muhammad and his life (Sunnah). It is interesting then to examine why Islam, a religion that emphasizes the worship of Allah alone, places so much significance on the last messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The second of the five pillars of Islam is Salah. Salah refers to the physical act of praying towards the Kaaba in Mecca. It is an obligatory duty for Muslims to perform five times a day, with the proper cleansing and mentality. Salah is the physical transgression of God. When one performs this daily action, they are intended to stay focused, as if they were physically in front of God conveying their worship and gratefulness towards Allah (SWT). It is only God’s mercy that a Muslim prays five times a day. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended into the heavens, according to islamic tradit...

... middle of paper ...

...to Muhammad, second only to testifying the Oneness of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) further narrates in a hadith Qudsi: Allah said: “The covenant between Us and them is Salah; so whoever establishes it establishes religion; whoever undermines it undermines religion.” When the Prophet (PBUH) says “them” in the comparative analogy above, he is referring to the non-believers. Salah establishes one’s din (faith) in Allah (SWT), and I consider it to be the most important of the five pillars. Granted, you must establish your Shahadah to be a Muslim, yet without the the practice of daily prayers, you do not express your Shahadah, and instill a relationship with Allah (SWT). It is therefore imperative that a Muslim never become slack in performing salah; if they miss any salah for whatever reason, they must pray it immediately without further delay.

Show More
Related

  • The Five Pillars to Islam: The Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah

    815 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah is one of the five pillars of Islam "arkan-al-Islam”- Its purpose is essentially to facilitate the act of submission to Allah which is pinnacle to all followers of Islam. "Perform the pilgrimage and the visit [to Mecca] for Allah" Surah 2:196. It has enormous significance, not only for the pilgrim undertaking the Hajj but also for the wider Muslim community, the Umma, as it allows for all individuals to gain unification of faith. Such purpose can be examined through considering various rituals; the stand before Allah "wuquf", the stoning of the pillars at Mina, the commemoration of the festival of sacrifice "Id-ul-Adha", the circling of the Ka'bah and drawing water from the well of Zamzam. Such rituals give example to a profound meaning of the Islamic faith and upon completion, the individual is fulfilling to the ultimate goal of Islam, a more perfect submission to Allah.

    Read More

  • The Five Pillars Of Islam

    1358 Words  | 3 Pages

    The generalization of the pillars of Islam takes on a very personal meaning to the individual Muslim. The individual is obligated to pray five times per day, pray recitations, and attend special Friday Services at the Mosque (Corduan, 2012). Living out this prayer life becomes the foundation of the Muslims lifestyle and time.

    Read More

  • Islam: Its History, Sects, and Pillars

    2993 Words  | 6 Pages

    Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion alongside Judaism and Christianity. It is currently the second largest religion in the world today. Its beliefs come from the Qur'an which literally means "the recitation" which is believed to be a literal transcription of the word of God. Its main prophet is named Muhammad who began Islam by speaking with the angel Gabriel in a cave during his meditation and then acting as an instrument of God to help write the Qur’an. Muhammad then spread Islam to the scattered tribes of Arabia by becoming the leader of Yathrib and using his wonderful leadership abilities to then grow his influence over virtually all of Arabia. Muhammad is known by Muslims to be the seal of the profits because no profits after Muhammad should be considered legitimate. Muhammad also left behind the Hadith or “tradition” which is a collection of writings compiled of reports of Muhammad’s actions as leader of Yathrib. These reports are used as a more specific code of ethics in day to day life and from these reports the 5 Pillars of Islam are derived (Smith 160). Although Islam shares many similarities to Judaism and Christianity it is often viewed in the US with hate derived from preconceived notions following the attack on September 11th 2001. This paper seeks to provide an overview of Islam’s history as well as its two major sects and 5 main pillars to remove preconceived notions and provide a glance into the minds of the Islamic people.

    Read More

  • The Role of the Qur’an in Muslim Religion

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    which he who has them revealed to him will discover the sweetness of faith: that he cherishes God and His messenger {the Prophet Muhammad} over everything other than them” (Gordon 140). These principles creates a central governance system for the Islamic community as members were able to have a set guideline for living. It also provided Muslims with how to deal with different situations and all aspects that they encounter with in life. “I will also heal the blind and the leper, and bring to life the dead… I will inform you too of what things you eat, and what you...

    Read More

  • The History of Islam

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    3) Five Pillars of Islam- The Five Pillars of Islam are five important actions that all Muslims must complete during their life. Muslims must recite the profession of faith, pray five times a day facing Mecca, give alms, fast during the month of Ramadan, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Five Pillars of Islam are the base for the whole religion of Islam. The pilgrimage to Mecca is the only one that is not required; if a person is not able to go at all, they are not required to.

    Read More

  • Compare And Differences Of Islam And Islam

    1723 Words  | 4 Pages

    Islam 's fundamental duties, practices, and beliefs are summarized in the Five Pillars of the faith, laid down in one of the Prophet 's Hadith and accepted by all Muslims. The five pillars are, the profession of faith, the daily prayer, payment of the Zakat, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. These are religious obligation of the Islamic practice. Although Christian 's religion is summarized in the Ten Commandments, the two faiths have similar and ideas, practices, and beliefs. The similarities can be seen through the rules of the holy writings and by the specific actions preformed both outside and in the worship places.

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Craig Martin's The Five Pillars Of Islam

    614 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Religion” is an inherently social creation which functions to naturalize certain behaviors and ideologies to maintain social order (Martin 94). In his book “A Critical Introduction to the Study of Religion”, Craig Martin introduces the concept of a “cultural toolbox”, comprised of the concepts, values, traditions, icons, figures, texts, and stories in a culture that represent and reinforce the elements of the society (97-98). To maintain social order and convince others to conform to the proposed, religions employ a tactic known as “legitimation” to justify traditions, practices, and ideologies using the “cultural toolbox” of a society (Martin 94).

    Read More

  • Orthopraxy In Islam

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    The faith and duties of Islam are inside of the practices performed. The Islamic people practice strict physical rituals that correspond directly with their belief system. The Five Pillars of Islam exemplify the practices of Islam in that they require physical practice including worship, behavior and ritual cleanliness. The practices are followed obediently by Muslims and are seen as enhancing the relationship one has with Allah. As Dr. Denny says, “Islam…on the other hand, view[s] religion as a way of life and a ritual patterning of that life under God’s lordship (1).”

    Read More

  • Hajj

    1085 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Islamic faith there are five pillars that they must follow to their best ability. The Salaht, the Hajj, they must give to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and repetition of the creed, "There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." These pillars are more like obligations in the Islamic religion.

    Read More

  • Five Pillars Of Christianity

    1658 Words  | 4 Pages

    A Christian is a person who believes in Christianity. They profess their belief in Jesus as Christ. The bible explains what it means to be a true Christian. It states that the followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians because of how they behaved, their activity, and their speech were like that of Christ. The word originally meant “belonging to the party of Christ” or a “follower” of Christ. Over time though the word Christian has been lost of what it truly means. Nowadays people use the word as someone who is religious, does good things, and goes to church, but some of these people may or may not actually be a follower of Jesus Christ. Just simply being a good person and going to church does not make you a Christian, you have to be a follower of Jesus and believe and trust in him as your savior (GotQuestions).

    Read More

  • The Five Pillars of Islam

    441 Words  | 1 Pages

    The worship of Allah is principal in a Muslim’s mind at all time. There are also five formal acts of worship which help strengthen a the faith and obedience of a Muslim. They are frequently called the “Five Pillars of Islam”. The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework and guidelines of the Muslim life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, supporting the needy, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the once in a lifetime trip to Makkah for those who are able to do so. These Five Pillars are the thing Muslim’s do to please God and to keep themselves well and happy in this lifetime and for the future ones to come. It was Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, who was reported to have said, “Islam is based upon five pillars”.

    Read More

  • Muslim Life in Islamic Culture

    619 Words  | 2 Pages

    When you become a Muslim,you believe salvation is dependent on man, not God. There are five pillars of Islam, these five pillars are the Muslims acts of worship to Allah. Allah means God. The five pillars of Islam are

    Read More

  • Inside Islam

    1558 Words  | 4 Pages

    Religion is an important factor in many lives in today’s society. A particular western religion that is taken very seriously by many is known as Islam. Essentially, Islam means “submission”, or in other words a person is to abide by God and peace will follow. In order to comprehend the Islamic religion, it is consequential to view the major themes associated with this religion. By going through the central themes of Islam it could help others comprehend what is involved with this specific religion.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Salat

    743 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Islamic religion has a powerful meaning - surrender. Muslims in their religion pray to Prophet Muhammad who is regarded as the greatest of all prophets. Salat is one of the five pillars of Islam. The doctrinal narrative and experiential dimensions. The doctrinal dimension is important because ritual prayer of Salat Is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is always in the direction of the ka’ba the shrine in mecca. The narrative dimension is also very important. this prayer must always be preceded by following the steps of washing their face hands and feet that can be done with sand when water is not available. Praying five times a day in a prescribed manner called the Salat. This is an extremely important tenet of Islam and has been enjoined with great emphasis both in the Holy Quran and the sayings of Prophet Mohammad. It is the greatest source for purification of the soul. If a man is not reciting Salat must be considered as soulless man. The way the Salat is offered and the words which are recited explain the true nature of religion.

    Read More

More about The Five Pillars Of Islam

Open Document