Pillars Of Islam
Islamic society is
a society based on the principles of Islam. It has a stamp of teachings of the
Quran and Sunnah. The thought and actions as well as beliefs and
customs of its individuals are in accordance with Islamic principles. All
rules and regulations of this society are framed in the light of the
teachings of Islam and its individuals lead their lives in
conformity with the Islamic code of conduct. Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) founded
the Islamic society in Madina. This primitive Islamic society set
examples of respect for humanity, coexistence, fraternity, equality and
tolerance. When Islam spread to other countries the Islamic society was
broadened. Wherever Muslims went they displayed social values of a
high order and as a result Islamic society was distinguished
from other societies. There are the five basic Pillars of Islam.
1 - Kalima
2 - Namaz
3 - Roza
4 - Zakat
5 - Hajj
Kalima
“La ILaha
ILAllaho Muhammad Dur Rasool Lul Allah” that is "None has the right
to be worshiped but Allah, and Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is the Messenger of
Allah". It is called a Kalima of Muslims. No one has the right to be
worshiped but Allah means Allah is one. To belief on Oneness of Allah (God) is
the first and fundamental principle of Islam. It means that the creator and
sovereign of this universe is Allah. He has no rival. He is the creator of all
objects and He is not dependent on any one. Every Muslim must acknowledge the
Oneness of Allah and His supreme sovereignty and must follow His orders.
When a Muslim
accepts the Oneness of Allah (God) and believes Him to be the creator and the
Master of universe, he is bound to lead his life within the limits and
principles prescribed by Allah and worship Him only. It also means that in the
eyes of a Muslim all human beings are equal and there is no distinction based
on race or colour. The dictates of Allah have been imposed on all human beings.
The richer or the poor, all are equal before law. A virtuous and pious man has
precedence over others before Allah.
Oneness of Allah
(God) also means that only Allah is fit to be worshipped and all Muslims should
observe the prayers and instructions prescribed for them.
Secondly, A Muslim
must believe on the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He is the last
prophet of Allah with last religion known as Islam. Every Muslim must follow
his teachings called Sunnah.
Seven
Important Things
There are the 7
things on which a Muslim must believe.
1 - Believe on
Allah
2 - Believe on
Messengers and Prophets of Allah.
3 - Believe on
Angels of Allah
4 - Believe on
books of Allah like Quran.
5 - Believe on day
of Qayamat (when everything is destroyed)
6 - Believe on
good or bad Taqdeer (Destiny)
7 - Believe on
Rising after being dead
Namaz
Namaz is the first
and foremost among the prayers of Muslims. Every Muslim man and women is bound
to offer Namaz. It is a pillar of Islam and a source if ascension for a true
believer. Namaz prevents a Muslim from doing immoral and indecent acts.
Seven Conditions Before Praying Namaz
- The body has to be clean.
- The clothes has to be clean
- The place of praying Namaz has to be clean
- Satr-e-awrat (Covering the body)
- It should be the time of praying Namaz
- To ace the Qibla
- To make the niyat (intention) for Namaz
Steps To Make Namaz (Prayer) Better
Requisites of good
Namaz suggested by Sufis are Twelve. The Sufis Islamic Scholars) write “ There
are twelve thousand blessings in Namaz, which can be achieved through twelve
principles. These steps are as follow.
1 - Knowledge: Our
Nabi Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said that an action performed without
knowledge is far inferior the one done with full knowledge about it. We should
therefore know: (a) which of the Islamic practices are obligatory and which are
Sunnah (done by Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H)). (b) what is obligatory and what is
sunnah in wazu (a method that involves washing different parts of our body) and
Namaz. (c) how does Shaytan (enemy of God) cause disturbance in the proper
observance of Namaz.
2 - Wazu: we must
try to: (a) Clean our heart of jealousy and revenge, just as we wash other
parts of our body. (b) Keep ourselves clean of sins. (c) Be neither wasteful
nor miserly in the use of water.
3 - Dress: It
should be: (a) Got through honest earning. (b) Clean. (c) According to Sunnah,
e.g. the ankles should not be covered. (d) Simple, and should not display
vanity or pride and self importance.
4 - Time: We
should be: (a) Able to tell correct time at any moment. (b) Always watchful
about Azan (Calling by man from Mosque for prayer). (c) Particular about the
time of Namaz, lest we should be too late for it.
5 - Facing the
Direction of Kabba: There are three things to be ensured in facing the
direction of Kabba (Situated at Makkah,
Saudi Arabia):
(a) we must face the direction of Kabba physically. (b) Have the heart in union
with Allah (God), for He is the direction of the Kabba of the Heart. (c) Be as
attentive as a slave is before his Master.
6 - Intention: For
this we need to be particular about three things: (a) We must be definite as to
what Namaz we are offering. (b) Remain constantly conscious of our presence
before Allah (god) Who sees us. (c) Have perfect faith that Allah (God) knows
all that is in our hearts.
7 - The first
Allah u Akbar by which one starts Namaz: The essential of the first Allah u
Akbar by which one starts Namaz are : (a) To pronounce the words correctly. (b)
To raise both hands up to the ears. This signifies that we have cut off our
connection with all, except Allah (God). (c) To feel the Greatness of Allah
(God) in our heart when we say Allah u Akbar.
8 - Qiyam
(Standing and reciting the Quran in Namaz): While in Qayam we should: (a) Keep
our gaze at the place of sajda (Particular place in ground where we put our
forehead). (b) Feel in our heart that we are standing before Allah (God). (c)
Not attend to anything else. Looking here and there is like a person who after
reaching the presence of a king, then starts to look right and left when the
king is attending to him.
9 - Recitation of
the Quran: The essential of reciting the Quran are: (a) To recite the Quran
with correct pronunciation. (b) To ponder on the meanings of what we recite.
(c) To bind ourselves to obey what we recite.
10 - Ruku : The
essential of ruku are : (a) To keep the back quite straight i.e. the whole body
above the legs should be in one horizontal line. (b) To hold the knees firmly
with fingers spread apart. (c) To recite subhana rabbiyal- azim with dignity
and keep in mind the greatness of Allah (God).
11 - Sajda : The
essential of Sajda are: (a) To place the hands flat and close to the ears. (b)
To keep the elbows raised above the ground. (c) To recite Subhana rabbiyal ala
with devotion.
12 - Qadah
(sitting between the two sajdas) : The essential of qadah are: (a) To sit upon
the left foot, keeping the right one vertical. (b) To recite tashahhud with
devotion, keeping the meaning in mind, for it contains greetings for the Hazrat
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and dua (pray) for the Muslim brethren. (c) To make
intention for salam to the angels as well as the people on the right and on the
left.
As sincerity is
the essence of all these points, which requires us: 1. To offer Namaz with the
sole purpose of pleasing Allah (God). 2. To understand that is only through the
favour of Allah (God) that we are able to offer Namaz. 3. To hope for the
reward promised by Allah (God).
Roza (Fasting)
Fasting is
also important prayer. Allah says in the Holy Quran "O believers,
you are enjoined to keep fast, as the people before you were
enjoined similarly, so that you may become pious "
Therefore it is
necessary for every Muslim (man and women) to keep fast in the month of Ramadan
(Holy Month). There are 30 Roza's (fast) in a year. And a man after 14
and women after 9 must take a fast.
Zakat
Zakat
is also a basic principle of Islamic way of life. In the Quran and
Hadith, the payment of Zakat as been made compulsory for every
"Sahib-e-Nisab (a person having a money)".
Allah says : “ and
be steadfast in prayer ,practice regular Zakat and Bow down Your heads with
those who down"
The Holy prophet
says " A person who believes in Allah and his prophet should pay
zakat out of his goods and wealth."
The Messenger of
Allah”( peace be upon Him ) said : “ Islam has been built on five pillars,
Testifying that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the messenger of
Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakat, making, the pilgrimage to the
house of Allah , and fasting Ramadan "
( Buhkary and
Muslim )
The income from
Zakat is spent on the poor, the helpless and the needy. Every
"Sahib-e-Nisab" person must pay 2.5% of his useless earnings as Zakat
to a poor and needy persons. Zakat should be paid to following persons.
1- The poor
2- The needy
people
3- Those employed
to administer the funds
4- Those whose
hearts has been recently reconciled to truth
5- Those in
Bondage
6- Those in Debt
7- In the cause of
Allah
8- The wayfarers
Haj
Haj is also an
important principle of Islam and a great prayer. It is compulsory for every
adult, sane and affording Muslim. On the occasion of Haj, Muslims from all over
the world perform this duty at Baitullah, Arafat and other places in Saudi Arabia.
Besides Haj, Jehad also has great significance. Jehad means that financial and
physical sacrifice which is made for the protection and promotion of Islam.
I will only pray that Allah forgive us and give us wisdom to follow all these pillars. zakat calculator
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