5 Pillars of Islam

سال رجل رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم فقال: اخبرني عن الاسلام قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم: الاسلام ان تشهد ان لا اله الا الله و ان محمد رسول الله وتقيم الصلاة وتؤ تي الزكاة وتصوم رمضان وتحج البيت ان استطعت اليه سبيلا

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and said, "Inform me about Islam." The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "Islam is that you testify that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad (s.a.w) is the Prophet of Allah and that you establish Salah, give Zakah, fast the month of Ramadan and make Hajj to the House (of Allah) when you are capable."

الاسلام - Islam means submissions. It is to surrender oneself to Allah and do everything that Allah has commanded. Islam is founded upon 5 pillars. People must satisfy all 5 pillars to become and remain Muslim.

ان لا اله الا الله   - The 1st pillar of Islam is to believe that there is no God worthy of worship expect. Allah is the Sovereign, One Who Owns and Controls the sky, the earth and everything in between them and beyond. Allah is Pure, Perfect and Holy. He is the Sacred, the Source of Peace, Security and Protection. Allah is the Al-Mighty, the All-Powerful. He is the Compeller, the One Who Subdues. He is Invincible, nothing can happen without His permission. He is the Creator, the Sustainer and the Planner. He fashioned and evolved everything that exists. Allah gave it shape, design and features. He is the Wise, the Best Judge, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, the Supreme and the Superb. Allah is One, there is no one even remotely similar to Him or equal. He is the Eternal, the Ever-Living, the Ever-Lasting. He is independent and free of want while all things are lying upon Him and in need of Him to exit. He does not have children, parents or any partners. He is Unique and Alone in His Divinity and Lordship.

Reference: Surah Hashr and Surah Ikhlaas

و ان محمد رسول الله -  It is also the 1st pillar of Islam to believe in Muhammad (s.a.w) as the Prophet of Allah.

About him Jesus (Esa a.s) said,

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ

And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad." [Qur'an, 61:6]

Allah vouches for the Prophethood of Muhammad (s.a.w) with the words  إِنَّكَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ,  "Indeed you are surely from those who are sent [with Allah's Message to the people]. Allah also says Muhammad (s.a.w) is the Final Messenger, there will be no Prophets after him. 

مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ

وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمً

Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah , of all things, Knowing. [Qur'an, 33:40]

Muhammad (s.a.w) is Allah's last and complete means of guidance. Anyone who wishes to know about Allah and worship Him in the best of ways must profess faith in the Prophethood of Muhammad (s.a.w) and follow his example.

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ  وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah , then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." [Qur'an, 3:31]

وتقيم الصلاة Establishing Salah is the 2nd pillar of Islam. The command to establish Salah was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in Paradise. Allah especially ascended the Prophet (s.a.w) to Paradise and ordered him and all those who follow him to establish Salah 5 times a day. The command to establish Salah is mentioned in the Qur'an over 700 times. Salah offered at it's fixed time is most beloved to Allah. Salah means to connect with Allah. Believers are most closet to Allah when they are in state of prostration (sajdah). Salah is the greatest act of worship dedicated to Allah which proves our commitment to Him. Through Salah a Believer thanks and praises Allah, asks Allah for His mercy, guidance and mercy. Salah prevents the Believers from sin as it reminds people of Allah and the Day of Judgment.  The people who do not establish Salah are disbelievers and the people who are lazy and late in offering their Salah and do not remember Allah much when they pray are hypocrites. 

وتؤ تي الزكاة Zakah means to increase and purify. Zakah puries wealth and soul from sin, greed, stinginess and arrogance. Allah increases wealth and blesses it when zakah and charity is given to the poor and the needy from it. Zakah is the 3rd pillar and an obligation in Islam like Salah. Zakah promotes distribution of riches and resources in society, it establishes social justice, brotherhood and compassion.


وتصوم رمضان - Fasting in the month of Ramadan is the 4th pillar of Islam. It means to stop and abstain from eating, drinking and all things which displease Allah and Allah has forbidden. This month is about becoming a new person, overcoming bad habits and really trying hard to come close to Allah by worshiping Him more than other months and asking for His forgiveness and love. Ramadan is also the month of reading Qur'an and charity. Believers complete the recitation of the entire Qur'an at least once this month and pay Zakah.

وتحج البيت ان استطعت - The final and 5th pillar of Islam is to perform Hajj to the House of Allah. Hajj means to intend. Make the intention to spend some time with Allah. It is a journey of love that calls upon us to pause our lives with our families and friends, work and play to travel to Allah for the love of Allah and spend 5 days at His House in His worship and remembrance. Hajj is obligatory upon Believers at least once in their lifetime.