There are five pillars of Islam that all Muslims are obligated to fulfill throughout their lifetime. These practices are stated to as pillars because they form the base of Muslim life. Islam is the religion of peace that our Last Prophet Muhammad PBUH spoke to his Ummah. There may be different divisions in Muslim societies, but below mentioned, the five pillars are usually accepted by all Muslims across the world. These five pillars consist of Shahada, Prayer, Zakat, Fasting, and Hajj. Each of the five pillars works in a cycle with one another to bring the spirit of Islam as a religion of peace and submission to Allah SWT, into the lifestyle of every Muslim. If you want to perform Umrah which is non-obligatory, you can avail of Ramadan Umrah Packages.
Significance of five pillars of Islam:
The Five pillars of Islam are described in detail as follows for our deep understanding.
1st pillar-Shahada, the Statement of Faith:
The declaration of Faith (shahada) is the belief that there is one Allah and Muhammad (PBUH) is the last Messenger of Allah. Monotheism and the belief in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the last messenger of Allah is the central belief of Islam around which everything else revolves, and reciting the Shahada in prayer each day serves to remind Muslims of this important belief. The first and important pillar of Islam is accepting the truth, that there is no Allah but Allah SWT. And Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah SWT. When a person accepts actuality, he gets rid of all impurities and comes into the circle of Islam. When he admits that Allah SWT is the only one, who is the creator of this world and the creator of everything in this universe and afterworld, he rejects all other power who claim to be God. And accepting that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet of Allah SWT is compulsory to hold Islam.
2nd Pillar- Prayer:
Muslims pray (Salah) facing Makkah five times a day before sunrise, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark at night. Salah happens five times a day and offers five different times for remembrance of Allah SWT and our purpose in this life to worship Him. Five times prayer offering is so vital that this has to be placed in the second pillar of Islam. Prayers are the gift by Allah SWT to his last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), given on the spiritual trip of Miraj. The significance of prayer is numerously described in Quran by Allah SWT and Hadiat by Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH. This obligatory prayer cannot be left in any situation, even if one is ill. Muslim men are instructed to offer their prayer in a group in a mosque, and women are instructed to say their prayer at home. Prayer is believed to be the key to paradise afterworlds. So this is the most important pillar after the faith.
Prayer includes a recitation of the sura of the Qur'an and is sometimes offered on a small prayer mat used expressly for this purpose. Muslims can pray individually or together in a mosque, where an Imam in prayer guides the worshipers.
3rd Pillar-Zakat:
As per Islamic law, Muslims contribute a fixed portion of their income to community followers in need. Many leaders and rich Muslims construct mosques and arrange drinking water tanks, schools, hospitals, and other welfare organizations both as a religious duty and to protect the blessings related to charity.
Although Sadaqah (charity) is greatly encouraged to be a part of everyday Muslim life, it is mandatory to pay Zakat once a year, confirming that wealth is constantly redistributed to those who are in need of it.
Allah SWT has planned this world in such a balanced way that each humanity and division are dependable on each other. Some people are blessed with vast financial resources and other is not. To run the financial system of the world, Allah SWT ordered us to pay Zakat in which the poor will get their part. Zakat is obligatory for each Muslim who has said the amount of Asset. A 2.5% ratio of Zakat is a must to pay on seized assets to the poor and needy people in society. This process generates a balanced division of wealth in society and helps poor persons.
4th Pillar-Fasting:
Fast is the fourth pillar of Islam out of five pillars. The month of Ramadan involves every Muslim abstaining from their basic needs and wishes, like food, drink, smoking, and sexual relationships for a period of time each day. Every year, fasting gives Muslims the chance to control their human needs. Over this temporary deficiency, they renew their consciousness and thankfulness for everything Allah has provided in their lives, including the Qur'an, which was first revealed during this holy month of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims share the hunger and thirst of the poor as a reminder of the spiritual obligation to help those less blessed. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory for each man and woman who has reached the age of infidelity. Fast is for Allah SWT and having suhoor and Iftar is the blessing of Allah SWT. If a Muslim misses a single fast during the holy month of Ramadan, there is no standby for this. Only old age or ill and pregnant women are exempt from this but they have to fulfill it on another day.
5th Pillar-Hajj:
Every Muslim who is financially and health-wise fit must make at least one visit to the holy city of Makah. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, during Hajj Muslims visit the House of Allah SWT in Makah and performs all Hajj formalities in accordance with Allah’s orders and the practices of the Last Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Hajj is obligatory once in the life of each Muslim who has the financial funds to go on this travel. Muslims across the world come to Makah to perform Hajj each year. Muslims living in London can also perform Umrah by availing of Umrah Packages 2023 with all facilities necessary for travel to the holy cities of Makah and Medina.
