5 pillars of Islam – What are the five pillars of Islam?

Islam is the building is standing on 5 pillars. With the help of these 5 pillars of Islam, Muslims can make Allah happy and can succeed in their life. These are all the worships that make Muslims close to Allah and are the teachings of Islam. These are:

1. Kalma Shahadah
2. Namaz
3. Zakat
4. Roza
5. Hajj

All of these are the basics of Islam. First one is the criteria of entering in Islam and other are the basic worships that become obligatory after believing in Allah and Prophet.

Religion Islam:

Islam is a monotheistic religion that is chosen by Allah Almighty for human beings. It is the religion of love, respect for elders, peace, and kindness for children. Islam has proven all the facts of this universe and states the oneness of Allah Almighty. No one can stand against the facts that are proven by Islam. Hazrat Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last Prophet of Allah and there will be no religion to success except Islam till the Day of Judgment.

What is meant by 5 pillars of Islam?

5 pillars of Islam are the acts that Muslims need to carryout throughout their life. Muslims believe in oneness of Allah Almighty and in Prophet as the last Prophet. So, they are required to follow all the teachings of Islam. Teachings of Islam are in two forms:

• Holy Quran (Book of Allah)
• Hadith (words of Prophet Muhammad)

5 pillars explained briefly:

1) Kalma Shahadah:

Embracing Shahadah is the first and foremost pillar of the Islamic Faith i.e., it’s a first building block. By reciting Kalmah, a Muslim utters witness not only to the oneness of Allah Almighty but also that Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) is the last messenger of Allah Almighty.
This simple but profound statement expresses a believer’s thorough commitment to Islam and without it, one cannot call himself a Muslim.

2) Namaz:

The performance of daily prayers i.e., five times a day is the second most important pillar of the Islamic faith. Namely;

1. Fajar Salah (offered at dawn).
2. Zuhr Salah (offered at noon).
3. Asr Salah (offered at midafternoon).
4. Maghrib Salah (offered at sunset).
5. Isha Salah (offered in the evening).

In addition to these five daily salah, Friday’s congregational service is also obligatory for every Muslim.

Though it remains permissible to offer Salah alone at home, a recommended act is that Muslims perform salah together in a mosque.

3) Zakat:

The fourth pillar of the Islamic faith is paying Zakat and it is obligatory on every Muslim who has the capability for it.
Zakat prescribes paying a fixed proportion of a Muslim's possessions (an amount specified by Islam) for the welfare of the entire community, in particular for its neediest members, when it has been saved for more than a year.

Percentage of Zakat:

The payment of Zakat on such possessions is equal to 2.5% of an individual's total net worth, however, excluding obligations and family expenses.

4) Roza:

Fasting for the complete 29 or 30 days of Ramadan remains the third pillar of the Islamic faith. Observing these fasts is obligatory on every Muslim whether rich or poor.

Fasting during Ramadan is an act of self-control whereby one's sensitivity is heightened to empathize with the sufferings of the poor, as Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, or doing anything that is prohibited while fasting i.e., from dawn till dusk.

The end of the holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by Eid-Al-Fitr, also referred to as the ‘Feast of the breaking of the fast’.

5) Hajj:

The fifth and last pillar of Islam is the performance of the Hajj pilgrimage by a believer. Every year, hajj rituals are observed by millions of pilgrims traveling from across the globe.

Hajj remains an obligation (once in a lifetime) only for those Muslims who are considered physically, mentally, and financially able to afford the journey to Makkah. While also fulfilling all of their travel, accommodation, and family expenses at the same time without any difficulty.
These are some of the fundamental things to know about the 5 pillars of Islam.

What is the importance of 5 pillars of Islam?

Five pillars of Islam are very important for Muslims and play an important role in the character of Muslims. These five pillars bring Muslims close to Allah and help them prepare themselves for the Day of Judgment. A person who does not perform these worships will be punished on the Day of Judgment by Allah because these worships are the orders of Allah.

What is the importance of Kalma Shahadah?

Kalma Shahadah is the name of witnessing the oneness of Allah and Prophet Muhammad as the last Prophet. It is the name of believing that no Messenger of Allah will come after Holy Prophet. There is only one Allah and all are required to worship Him in the way told by Hazrat Muhammad (ﷺ). It is the criteria to enter the circle of Islam.

Who is Muslim?

A person who recites Kalma Shahadah with the intention of bringing faith in Allah and Hazrat Muhammad. It is the first and foremost criteria to enter Islam and to be eligible to perform other worships. Otherwise the body remains impure and a person cannot perform other worships like Namaz, Roza, Zakat and Hajj.

Can a person become Muslim without reciting Kalma Shahadah?

A person cannot become Muslim if he does not recite Kalma Shahadah with the pure intention. Pure intention is very important to become a pure Muslim. This Kalma makes our faith pure and strong and also makes us eligible to act upon all the orders of Allah.

What is the importance of Namaz in Islam?

The first and foremost worship in Islam is Namaz. It is the second pillar of Islam after Kalma Shahadah. Those who recite Kalma but do not offer prayer five times a day are not pure Muslims. Namaz is Fardh in each and every condition.

Here is the glimpse of its importance:

• It brings Muslims in front of Allah.
• It is the conversation between Allah and Muslims.
• It brings people close to Allah and is the way to success in the both the worlds.
• It is cooling for the eyes of our beloved Prophet.
• It helps Muslims avoid from sins and stay on the right path.

What is the importance of Zakat in Islam?

Zakat is also very important for Muslims. Allah has distributed His provision among the people differently. He tests Muslims in different ways and has also given the orders of Zakat. He also provides rewards to those who give Zakat to poor.

• He increases the provision of those people who give Zakat to help poor people.
• Helping human beings is the great worship and Zakat is the best way to help human beings.
• When a Muslim gives Zakat, Allah makes His provision Halal.
• Those who do not give Zakat, they are not provided with the increased provision.
• Zakat giving ends the poverty on large scale.
• It awakes the feelings of love for rich in the hearts of poor and in this way a society becomes stronger.
• It makes all the people united. Poor start respecting rich people and in this way the society enjoys peace.

What is the importance of Roza?

Roza is also a great worship and a Muslims is required to observe fasts for the whole month of Ramadan. It is also a great worship and provides benefits to Muslims individually and also to Ummah as a whole.

• Reward of Roza is unimaginable.
• The reward of Roza will be provided by Allah Almighty because a Muslim bears hardships of being hungry and thirsty only for the sake of Allah.
• It helps Muslims keep their body fit.
• According to the scientific research and research of different doctors, it is very important to keep our stomach empty at least for a month in a year.
• Month of Ramadan also has Laylatul Qadr that is better than the worship of thousand months.
• Allah likes the smell of those people who observe fasts for Him and do not eat and drink even in loneliness when no one is seeing them except Allah.

What is the importance of Hajj in Islam?

Hajj is the fifth basic pillar and plays a key role in the lives of Muslims. It is the name of becoming the guests of Allah by visiting His House. It is not obligatory for all the Muslims because it is expensive. It is compulsory only for those who can afford and bear its expenses. It is performed only once in a year but is very important for Muslim Ummah.

Here are the advantages and importance of Hajj in Islam:

• It unites the whole Ummah as all the Muslims wear simple white dresses.
• It shows that all the human beings are equal.
• It brings simplicity in the lives of Muslims.
• Performer of Hajj becomes like a new born baby because Allah forgives the sins of those who perform Hajj.
• Performer of Hajj becomes the guest of Allah. Allah is the best provider and provides those with increased provision who visit His House.
• It is the example of brotherhood and Muslim unity in front of whole world.
• Followers of Islam commemorate the acts of Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Hajra during Hajj.