Five Pillars Of Islam

Five Pillars Of Islam

There is a saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) to the effect that the edifice of Islam rests on five pillars:- (1) a firm declaration that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon Him) is His servant and His apostle ; (2) the keeping up of prayers (Salat) ; (3) the payment of obligatory charity. or poor-rate (Zakat) ; (4) the performance of pilgrimage of Mecca (Hajj) ; and (5) keeping of fast during the month of Ramadan (Saum). The four fundamental institutions of Islam are thus:- 1. Salat. 2. Zakat. 3. Saum. 4. Hajj. There is also a fifth religious duty of the Muslims and that is Jihad.

Their Purpose

The aim of these fundamental institutions of Islam is to make a man realize the presence of Allah and make him God-conscious and God-fearing ; to refine his thoughts ; to mould his character ; to purify his heart ; to elevate him morally ; and to enable him to discharge faithfully his responsibilities and duties, not only to Allah, but also to Allah's creatures. In all these religious institutions there is punctuality, regularity, methods, orderliness, uniformity and an exhibition of complete equality.