.:: The 5 Pillars of Islam::.

 

 
 
1. The Creed (Schahada)
 
The Creed (Schahada), is the witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.
 
The confession reads in Arabic, the language of the Quran (the last revelation of God):
 
Aschhadu an la ilaha illa llah, wa aschhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu llah.
 
This means in English:
 
I bear witness that no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
 
What does the creed now mean for the daily life of a Muslim?
 
The "theoretical" side of the phrase La ilaha illa llah - "There is no god except Allah" - has already been outlined.
 
As shown above, it is obvious that the supreme Islamic commandment is that Allah is not to be equalized to any or something, because this would mean Schirk (disbelief). This word now means not just the worship of idols in the original sense of the word but the manifestations of Schirk include, for example - especially in our time - the close to adoration action of worshiping of idols, the lifting to idolization of the "consume", by striving for excessive material goods while forgetting Allah and His commandments  or the  "deification" of other people. The latter is always the case when - due to whatever motives - teachings and laws of people are followed although they do not coincide with the divine law.
 
Those who pronounce Shahada with conviction, in fact, have a contract with Allah: Human has the duty to obay to Him alone, to serve Him alone and to be obedient to Him to fulfill obligations, and - this includes the second part of the Islamic Creed - in the way the Prophet Muhammad, Allah's blessings and peace upon him, taught it, while Allah promises immense reward for that: A right direction in this life and the paradise in the Hereafter.
 
Is one really without any doubt convinced by the truth of the sentence: La ilaha illa-llah it will determine his entire life, his feeling, thinking and action:
It gives him a high degree of self-confidence and self-esteem. Because he knows that Allah alone is the owner of all power and that no one except Him can harm or benefit human, can be in charge of his specific needs, or any kind of influence. This conviction makes him independent, fearless and careless to all other forces than those of Allah. At the same time with the effect of self-respect this belief also models him to modesty and humility and turns the believer to an unassuming and modest man. Because he knows that everything he owns - whether tangible or intangible - is a gift from Allah to him and he can take it back too. With this in mind pride or arrogance are incompatible. The belief that material possessions, honor, power, reputation, etc. will be provided by Allah, human is freed from greed, jealousy and envy. And the obedience to Allah, by staying away of the limits of Allah keep the people from slavery to their personal inclinations, and their desires to be ultimate selfish.
 

 
This faith makes people honest and righteous. Because he knows that every second of his life is under the authority of Allah and that he will once stand before him because of his deeds and will be responsible and that the only way to success is the observance of the divine commandments. The latter gives him great determination, fortitude and perseverance, even if the difficulties which hinder his targets, appear insurmountable. Because he is sure that Allah, the Lord of the universe, will support him in deeds, which correspond to His will.
 
The conviction of the omnipotence of Allah's mercy is immeasurable and can give the people strong beliefs in Allah, which shall in no circumstances, discourage or even despair him. Even under the most adverse circumstances, this trust gives him solace and hope while exempts him from fear of existence and future  and fills him with deep satisfaction.
 
 
2. Prayer (Salah)
 
The prayer is after the Creed, the main duty of Muslims.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
 
"Prayer is the pillar of faith. Who carries it keeps the faith maintained and who leaves, leaves the faith."
 
An essential part of prayer is the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha, the first Surah of the Quran. It reads in English translation:
 
1. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful!
2. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,
3. The Beneficent, the Merciful,
4. the Lord on the Day of Recompense!
5. You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help.
6. Show us the straight path,
7. The path of those whom You have proved to grace, not (the path) of those (your) anger aroused and not (the path) of the astray.
 
By the prayer the Muslim not only brings to expression his devotion to Allah, but his obedience to Him, by fulfilling his given obligation from Allah. It should be emphasized that Allah, who is absolutely independent and depends not in the slightest way to our prayers and our obedience. Rather, it is in the best interest of the people to use the offered chance offered "guiding principle" by the divine laws for this earthly life. So the importance of prayer is in fact a benefit for the people: He is reminding himself 5 times during the day to his faith and this helps him never to lose the goal of his life out of sight. So the prayer for him is a source of strength and satisfaction and a bulwark against the storms of everyday life.
 
The community prayer in the mosque is a particularly impressive way of demonstrating the equality of praying people before Allah. As no one takes a special position because his social position, his nationality, skin color or because of any distinctive character. One of the praying ones is the Lead praying person (Imam) while the others stand in rows behind him. They are standing foot to foot, shoulder to shoulder and they bow and prostrate in unity in adoration down before Allah, their common Lord.
 
As the last points suggests, there is in Islam no "priesthood", no monasticism, no Pope and no church hierarchy. Every Muslim can lead a praying, if the necessary knowledge to lead prayer is established.
 
 
3. The Poor Tax (Zakat)
 
Every Muslim whose wealth exceeds a certain level is required to spend per year at least 2.5% of its assets, which has rested over one year.
 
This charge is called Zakat and is for the needy or has to made available for the use by the entire community. The purposes for which Zakat funds may be used are set in the Quran.
 
The tangible benefits of this religious obligation for the community is obvious. In addition, it has significance for the religious attitude of individuals. Because this charge is only paid from sense of duty towards Allah and not looked upon as a generous spender or to expect thanks or to know others in his guilt.
 

 
As prayer and fasting, the abandonment of a small part of ones physical possession of the individual means a psychological catharsis. Because it helps him to turn away from greed, self-love and addiction to exempt income. It makes one clear that he has no right to his goods and chattels for ones own convenience while other people do not even have the minimum offer. Rather, such people have a legal right to receive by from him, the better off supported by Allah
 
S it strengthens the property tax obligation to the sense of responsibility, especially towards the needy members of the community and shows solidarity towards them.
 
 
4. Fasting (Saum)
 
Fasting in Ramadan is a religious duty of Muslims.
 
Fasting means complete abstinence in relation to physical needs from dawn till sunset and in which one does so, he testifies that Allah's laws take precedence over our human´s. By this - the obedience of Allah over one own his obligation is fulfilled. That is the real purpose of fasting.
 
In addition, the fasting has multiple benefits: including teaching self-control, liberation from dependence on the power of habit and letting the people becoming adaptable on his habits. It awakens in those who are accustomed to, prosperity and abundance of life, understanding and compassion for those who hunger and thirst. And it teaches the fasting one that his force does not only depends of hot meals, but also of inner strength by reminding him to spiritual forces.
 
It does not have to be mentioned that during fasting during you have to try to stick to the other Islamic norms too.
 
So the fasting teaches the duty of consciousness and patience during the rest of the year throughout the life by subjection to the will of Allah.
 
After the end of the month of Ramadan, the Islamic world is celebrating the "festival of fast breaking" ( 'Idu l-Fitr).
 
Who in the month of Ramadan for some reason may not be fast, can make up the missed days when he is ready to do so.
 
 
5. The Pilgrimage (Hajj)
 
The Pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca is duty to every Muslim at least once in his lifetime if he has the financial resources and can afford the health and strength to do so.
 
The journey to the "House of Allah" and the place of his spiritual father Abraham must not become mere a "courtesy visit". That is why the pilgrimage is  also bound to rites and fixed conditions, which helps  the Muslims to achieve the religious consciousness which is appropriate to the importance of this trip.
 
On the pilgrimage the Muslims meet with all brothers and sisters in faith from all over the world and experience a feeling of international brotherhood. Independently of the rank they occupy in the world and off their geographical origin, etc. all are dressed the same. Indeed, before Allah they are all the same - the only distinctive feature for him is the sincerity of the heart and the piety of the individual.
 
These experiences should make the pilgrimage for the Muslims becoming an indelible impression and allow to strengthen him in his faith.
 
At the conclusion of the pilgrimage period, Muslims celebrate their "Feast of Sacrifice ( 'Idu-l-Adha).