Untitled

• 5 Pillars of Islam


  Important acts of worship that develop the Muslim character and strengthen Islam
• Muslims are commanded by Allah to carry out these duties and to follow the example of the Prophet (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) in the manner they perform these duties
• The 5 Pillars of Islam support Islam just as pillars in a building support the structure of a building
• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): 'Islam is built upon five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing regular prayer (salah); paying the zakah; Hajj (pilgrimage) and fasting Ramadan.'
• The 5 Pillars of Islam


  • SHAHAADATAYN (The twin testimony of faith)
  • SALAH (The obligatory prayer)
  • ZAKAAT (The obligatory charity)
  • HAJJ (Pilgrimage to Makkah)
  • SAWM (The obligatory fasting)
• Shahādah


  The most important of the 5 Pillars as it enters a person into Islam and makes them a Muslim
• The rest of the four Pillars are only valid if the Shahādah has already been declared
• All the pillars are commanded by Allaah but not all of them are duties for all Muslims, as those who are unable are excused by God
• Those who cannot do the movements of the prayer because they are too sick or too old, can sit or even lie down to pray
• This shows the great mercy of Allaah in that "Allaah does not burden a soul more than it can bear."
• Shahaadatayn (Testimony of faith)


  A person believes that Allah alone is the Lord, Sovereign and Controller, the Creator and Provider. He affirms all His most beautiful names and the sublime attributes that Allah has affirmed for Himself or that His Prophet affirmed for Him. He believes that Allah alone, and no one else, is the Only One Who is deserving of worship.
• Shahaadatayn (Testimony of faith)


  A person believes that Allah sent His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and revealed to him the Quran, and commanded him to convey this religion to all of mankind. He believes that loving Allah and His Messenger and obeying them are duties which are obligatory upon all of mankind, and that love of Allah can only be realized by following His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
• Salaat (The 5 obligatory prayers)


  The Muslim believes that Allah has enjoined upon every sane adult Muslim five (formal) prayers each day and night, which he does in a state of purity, standing before his Lord, every day in a state of purity and humility, thanking his Lord for His blessings, asking Him of His bounty, seeking His forgiveness for his sins, asking Him for Paradise and seeking refuge in Him from Hell.
• The five obligatory prayers

  • Fajr (early morning, before dawn 2 units)
  • Zuhr (mid-day, just after noon, 4 units)
  • 'Asr (mid afternoon, 4 units)
  • Maghrib (just after sunset, 3 units)
  • 'Isha (at night, after dark has fallen, 4 units)
• Prayer, whether it is fard or nafl, represents a sincere turning towards Allah alone in all one's affairs
• Allah: 'Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salah (i.e. the best prayer - 'Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salah (prayers)].'
• The five daily prayers are obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman, night and day
• The one who abandons prayer has no share in Islam. Whoever neglects it deliberately is a kafir
• Prayer helps the believer at times of hardship and calamity


  Prayer is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi'un [i.e. the true believers in Allah — those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]
• The five daily prayers wipe out sins
• Conditions of Salaat


  • The beginning of prayer time
  • Covering the 'awrah
  • Taharah (purity)
  • Facing towards the qiblah
  • Intention (niyyah)
• Zakaat (Obligatory charity)


  Taken from the rich and given to the poor
• Wisdom of zakah in Islam

  Purifies and cleanses wealth and purifies the soul from stinginess and miserliness. It strengthens the love between the rich and poor, takes away hatred, makes security prevail and brings happiness to the ummah.
• Who is eligible to receive zakah in Islam

  • Fuqara (poor)
  • Al-Masakin (the poor)
  • Those employed to collect (the funds)
  • To attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam)
  • To free the captives
  • For those in debt
  • For Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun — those fighting in Allah's cause)
  • For the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything)
• Sawm (Fasting in the month of Ramadan)


  Abstaining from things which break the fast, such as food, drink and intercourse, from the break of true dawn until sunset, with the intention of fasting
• The relationship of patience to faith is like that of the head to the body
• Allah has enjoined upon this ummah fasting for one month of the year, in order to draw closer to Allah, to avoid that which Allah has forbidden, to get used to being patient, to bring the nafs (self) under control, to compete in generosity and to demonstrate cooperation and mutual compassion
• Virtues of Ramadan


  The reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month. In it is Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months. The gates of Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayateen (devils) are tied up.
• Allah has made fasting the month of Ramadan obligatory upon every sane, adult Muslim, male and female alike
• There is a great reward with Allaah for fasting
• Hajj (Pilgrimage in Makkah)

  Allah has given the Muslims a Qiblah (direction of prayer) which they face when they pray (salah) and offer supplications (du'a), wherever they may be. This qiblah is the Ancient House (the Ka'bah) in Makkah al-Mukarramah
• There is a great reward with Allah for fasting
• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): 'Every action of the son of Adam is multiplied, each good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah said, 'Except for fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for he gives up his desire and food for My sake.''
• Qiblah


  The direction of prayer that Muslims face
• Allah has given the Muslims a Qiblah (direction of prayer) which they face when they pray (salah) and offer supplications (du'a), wherever they may be
• The Qiblah is the Ancient House (the Ka'bah) in Makkah al-Mukarramah
• Allah: 'So turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haram (at Makkah). And wherever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction.'
• Hajj


  The pilgrimage to Makkah that is obligatory for every sane, adult Muslim who has the means
• Hajj is an occasion on which the unity of the Muslims, their strength and pride, are made manifest
• Hajj has its own etiquette and conditions which the Muslims must observe