C. Pillars of Islam & Iman Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj, Articles of Faith (belief in Allah, angels, prophets, holy books, Day of Judgment),
Islam is based on a strong foundation of faith and practice. Every Muslim is required to follow the five pillars of Islam and hold firm belief in the articles of faith (Iman). Together, these provide guidance for a moral, spiritual, and disciplined life.
The pillars of Islam are the basic acts of worship and practice that every Muslim must observe. They form the framework of a Muslim’s life and strengthen the connection with Allah.
The Shahada is the declaration of faith. It states:
“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is His Messenger.”
This testimony expresses the belief in the oneness of Allah and the acceptance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as His messenger. It is recited daily in prayers and is the first requirement for anyone to become a Muslim. The Shahada signifies total commitment, submission, and loyalty to Allah.
Salah is the ritual prayer performed five times a day. It is a direct way to communicate with Allah and maintain spiritual discipline.
Five daily prayers:
Fajr – before sunrise
Dhuhr – after midday
Asr – late afternoon
Maghrib – just after sunset
Isha – night
Importance of Salah:
Strengthens faith and mindfulness of Allah.
Provides regular moments of reflection and spiritual purification.
Acts as a reminder of moral responsibility and obedience.
Zakat is a mandatory form of almsgiving. It is the obligation to give a fixed portion of wealth (usually 2.5% of savings) to the needy and poor.
Purpose of Zakat:
Purifies wealth and prevents greed.
Reduces social inequality and supports the welfare of society.
Promotes compassion and solidarity among Muslims.
It is one of the most important social and economic pillars of Islam.
Sawm refers to fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations from dawn to sunset.
Purpose of fasting:
Teaches self-discipline, patience, and self-control.
Strengthens empathy for the poor and hungry.
Encourages spiritual reflection and closeness to Allah.
Fasting is not only a physical act but also a spiritual exercise that helps purify the soul.
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every adult Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime, if financially and physically able.
Key rituals of Hajj include:
Ihram – state of spiritual purity and humility
Tawaf – circling the Kaaba seven times
Sa’i – walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah
Standing at Arafat – praying for forgiveness and guidance
Hajj symbolizes unity, equality, and submission to Allah. Muslims from all over the world gather, wearing similar clothing, demonstrating equality before God.
Iman refers to the belief system of a Muslim. It consists of six core beliefs that every Muslim must hold firmly.
Muslims believe in one God (Allah) who is all-powerful, merciful, and eternal. Allah has no partners or equals and is the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Muslims believe in angels as spiritual beings created by Allah. They carry out specific duties, including recording deeds, delivering messages to prophets, and protecting humans.
Muslims believe that Allah sent prophets to guide humanity. Prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (PBUH), conveyed Allah’s message and provided examples of righteous living. Muhammad (PBUH) is the last and final prophet.
Muslims believe that Allah revealed scriptures to guide humanity. These include:
Taurat (Torah) given to Moses
Zabur (Psalms) given to David
Injil (Gospel) given to Jesus
Quran given to Muhammad (PBUH), which is the final and complete revelation
Muslims believe in a Day of Judgment, when every person will be held accountable for their deeds. Rewards (Paradise) or punishments (Hell) will be granted based on their faith and actions.
Muslims believe in Qadar, the divine will of Allah. Everything happens according to Allah’s knowledge and decree, and humans have free will to choose their actions within Allah’s plan.
Together, the Pillars of Islam and Articles of Faith form the foundation of a Muslim’s life. They guide worship, ethics, and daily conduct, providing spiritual, moral, and social structure for the individual and the community.