The Prophet ﷺ said, Islam has been built on five [pillars]: (1) testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, (2) establishing the salah (prayer), (3) paying the zakah (obligatory charity), (4) making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and (5) fasting in Ramadhan.”’ Commentary. This hadith repeats part of the theme from the last hadith which gave us the 5 pillars of Islam, 6 articles of Iman, and Ihsan. The scholars have said that the reason Imam Nawawi brings this hadith which seems to just be a repeat due to the great importance of these pillars in our deen. The five pillars are considered the most important actions and worship in Islam. Not performing these are amongst the most major sins in Islam, where as with prayer many scholars have said abandoning it makes one exit Islam. Denying any of these pillars as being obligatory would also be a statement of disbelief. 1. Shahadah (testimony of faith) The first part of the Shahadah is testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah. There are scholars have described seven conditions of the Shahadah: 1. Knowledge - to understand what it means 2. Certainty - no doubt of anything confirmed in the Quran or Sunnah 3. Acceptance - by the tongue and the heart 4. Submission - the actual physical enactment by deeds 5. Truthfulness - to say it with honesty 6. Sincerity - to do it solely for the sake of Allah 7. Love - to love the Shahadah and to love its implications and requirements and what it stands for By saying the Shahadah one enters in Islam, and by disbelieving in the Shahadah one would exit Islam. It is obligatory on us to understand the basic beliefs of our religion so that we can fulfill this pillar. 2. Salat (prayer) The most important single action in Islam. We know that the first thing a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgment is our prayer, if it is good (meaning consistent, sincere, on time, etc.) than everything after that will be easy. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever. [Tirmidhi] The scholars have debated about the one who doesnt pray whether they are Muslim or not. Such as Imam Ahmad who said that the one who does not pray because of laziness is a kafr (disbeliever). Other scholars have said that he is an evil Muslim on the edge of kufr. One can read more information on this @ islamqa.info/en/5208 3. Zakat (obligatory charity) Zakat is well known and is obligatory but one thing that many Muslims neglect. If one has wealth beyond the Nisab (minimum wealth limit) than he must pay 2.5%. The Nisab is most commonly calculated by 87.48 grams of Gold (approximately $4077.66 as of today). Zakat is paid yearly on the Islamic Calendar on any wealth after one year. If you are below the above amount you are exempt, but if you are above then you must pay the 2.5%. Unlike generic charity there are conditions on who can receive Zakat according to Surat at-Tawbah. In many Muslim countries the Zakat is handled officially where in other countries there are organizations that can help with Zakat, some Islamic banks will even automatically track your money and notify you when and what amount you owe on Zakat. 4. Sawm (fasting Ramadhan) Fasting Ramadan is also well known. This is to abstain from food, drink and intercourse from sunrise (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib). For that was neglectful of their religion and starts practicing later in life they must do sincere tawbah (repentance) to Allah and beg for forgiveness but do not have to make up those missed fasts. For the one who is unable to fast due to menstruation, pregnancy, medical reasons etc. then there are two things to consider. First if the reason is permanent and it is thought it will not go away, such as one with diabetes unable to fast, then they can feed others in lieu of fasting. For one who it is temporary such as missing fasts for menstruation than the fasts must be made up as soon as one is able to. Fasts missed from one Ramadan must be made up before the next Ramadan as they are debts to Allah, though one should make them up as soon as possible. It is not haram for a pregnant or breast feeding woman to fast, unless she knows it will harm the baby. If one is able to fast, or fast alternate days while pregnant or breast feeding without any harm to the baby than one should do that if able. 5. Hajj (pilgrimage) Performing Hajj in Mecca is obligatory on every individual Muslim once in their life time, if one is able to do it. Hajj is a special obligation in that it may never be obligatory on a Muslim if they are poor, sick (unable to travel), or as a woman are unable to travel with a mahram (guardian relative such as father, husband, etc.). Hajj becomes obligatory on a person as soon as they have the money and ability to go, and the time for Hajj seasons approaches. For example if you have $20,000 today but have to spend money on expenses or help with charity and only have $2,000 after Ramadan when people start preparing for Hajj than it is not obligatory on you since you do not have the ability at that time. But if one has the money to do Hajj, is physically able to do Hajj and has not done Hajj yet once in their life - then to not go on Hajj when it approaches would be a major sin and a neglect of this pillar of Islam. May Allah help us to learn and apply our religion, and make us to die as Muslims, ameen.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:00:57 +0000
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