Muhammad(PBUH) laid the foundation for the ideal Islamic state during the ten years between his arrival in Medina and his death in AD 632.
A core of devout Muslims was formed, and community life was organized around the new religion’s standards.
The requirements of the religion developed to include several institutions that continue to characterize Islamic religious practices today, in addition to general moral injunctions.
As soon as Islam’s Arab armies conquered new areas, they began creating mosques and palaces, as well as commissioning other works of art, as manifestations of their faith and culture.
Many components of Islamic religious practices arose and were codified as well. Islam, which means “to surrender to God,” is built on doctrines known as the Five Pillars, arkan, to which all members of the Islamic society, Umma, are expected to adhere.
1. Belief in God – The Shahada
The shahada, or Profession of Faith, is the most basic articulation of Islamic beliefs. It simply states that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad(PBUH) is his Prophet.
It emphasizes Islam’s monotheistic nature. It is a very popular phrase in Arabic calligraphy, and it may be seen in many manuscripts and religious structures.
A person must confess and act on their belief in God’s oneness and Muhammad’s(PBUH) prophethood to join the Muslim society.
The vocal statement must convey actual knowledge of its meaning as well as sincere belief to be a true declaration of faith that indicates a relationship between the speaker and God.
Other Muslims can scrutinize a person’s actions, but a person’s declaration of faith is sufficient proof of membership in the Muslim community and cannot be questioned by other Muslims.
2. Salat–Daily Prayers
Five times a day, Muslims are supposed to pray. This does not imply that individuals must worship in a mosque; rather, they should perform the salat, or daily prayer, five times a day.
Muslims can worship anywhere, but they must direct their prayers toward Mecca. As a mark of their reverence and surrender to Allah, the faithful pray by bowing many times while standing, then bending and touching the floor or prayer mat with their foreheads.
Bowings (rak’as) are a series of units that make up a prayer. The worshiper stands, bows, kneels, and bows down at each of these units while chanting Quranic verses and other prayer formulas.
These units are repeated four times at midday, afternoon, and evening prayers, three times at sunset prayer, and just twice at morning, with slight variances among Muslim sects.
The opening chapter of the Qur’an, al-Fatiha, is repeated in each unit in a prayer sequence.
The declaration of faith is spoken at the end of each prayer, followed by the greeting. “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.”
On Friday, many Muslims attend a mosque near midday to pray and to listen to a sermon, khutba.
3. Zakat – Aims-Giving
The third pillar is the practice of almsgiving. Even though it is not explicitly stated in the Quran, Muslims feel that they are obligated to share their riches with others in their community who are less fortunate.
Muslims are required by Islamic law to donate a set share of the revenue to members of the public in need.
As a religious requirement and to reap the rewards of giving, many kings and wealthy Muslims build mosques, water fountains, hospitals, schools, and other institutions.
4. The Fast in Ramadan – Saum
Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan, which falls in the Islamic calendar’s ninth month. Except for the sick, aged, and pregnant, everyone is supposed to avoid eating and drinking during daytime hours.
Fasting is also necessary at any time of year as a kind of restitution for different misdeeds and infractions of the law.
As acts of devotion and spiritual discipline, many Muslims observe voluntary fasts at various periods throughout the year. However, Islamic law does not necessitate any additional fasting.
5. Mecca-Hajj Pilgrimage
At least once throughout their lives, all Muslims who are able must perform the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites.
The Kaaba is the holiest site in Islam, and pilgrims must visit and walk around it seven times. The pilgrimage takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
The Qur’an gives elaborate accounts of many aspects of the ceremony, and many of these rituals are portrayed as reenactments of Ibrahim and Ismail’s efforts during the construction of the Kaaba.
The hallowed Black Stone is set in one corner of the Kaaba, and according to one Islamic story, it was handed to Ibrahim by the angel Gabriel. According to another Islamic narrative, Adam was the one who first placed this stone in its current location.
Most Muslims visit Medina, where the Prophet’s grave is located, before returning to their homes during the pilgrimage. The ceremony is called umrah if the pilgrimage ceremonies are conducted at any month of the year besides the appointed time for Hajj.
Though Umra is a good act, it does not relieve a person of his or her need to perform hajj. The majority of pilgrims do one or more Umrah before or after the Hajj.
Wrapping Up
All serious believers of the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH), male and female are expected to uphold the pillars, however, this does not mean that everyone who calls themselves a Muslim does so regularly.
Circumstances change, as they do in all religions, and some individuals are more devoted than others. Age, stage of life, employment, family responsibilities, health, and wealth all have a role.
Final Words
The Five Pillars of Islam are the key factors upon which one’s faith is judged. Besides, these pillars of Islam have explicitly mentioned the Holy Quran as well. Thus, if you want to learn about the pillars of Islam, it is better to first learn the Quran so that you can understand what the Book of Allah says about them.
