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5 Pillars of Islam

1) Shahada

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce.  To do this one must simply state publicly "Ashadu alla ilaha illa Allah, wa ashadu anna Muhammed ar-rasool Allah". This means, "I bear witness that there is no God other than Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammed is His messanger."  It should be a genuine belief from one's heart. The witnessing of the Oneness of Allah is the rejection of any form of deity other than Allah, and the witnessing that Muhammad is His Messenger is the acceptance of him being chosen by Allah to convey His message of Islam to all humanity and to deliver it from the darkness of ignorance into the light of belief in, and knowledge of, the Creator.

Shahada inscribed at Ottoman Topkapi Palace, Istanbul. 

2) Prayer-Salat

Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

In prayer, every muscle and bone of the body joins the soul and the mind in the worship and glory of Allah(swt).

Offering of prayers is obligatory upon every Muslim who is sane, mature and in the case of women free from menstruation and confinement due to child birth. some requirements must be met in oreder for the prayer to be valid. These include but are not limited to:

• Performing wudu - ritually cleaning the body clothes and ground used for prayer.
• Clothing - one must be covered in the manner according to his gender.
• Facing the Ka'ba (refered to as the Qibla)
• Intention - merely saying in your mind that you are attempting to pray and gain the benefits from it.

Prayers are required at least five times a day. Other obligatory prayer include the Friday congregational prayer, Eid prayers and the funeral prayer. Times of the five daily obligatory prayers:

   1.Fajr-Before sunrise.
   2.Zuhr-After the sun begins to decline from its zenith.
   3.Asr-Mid-afternoon.
   4.Magrib-Just after sunset.
   5.Isha-night.
 

In addition one is also encouraged but not required to perform prayers during the day and night. Prayer should be offered in its due time, unless there is a reasonable excuse. Delayed obligatory prayers must be made up. In addition to the prescribed prayer, a Muslim expresses gratitude to Godand appreciation of His favours and asks for His mercy all the time. Especially at times of, childbirth, marriage, going to or rising from bed, leaving and returning to his home, starting a journey or entering a city, riding or driving, before or after eating or drinking, harvesting, visiting graveyards and at time of distress and sickness.
 
 Adhan is made at the time of each Salah to announce the prayer time has come in and to call people to pray. The mu'adhdhin (muzzein, one giving the call) recites the adhan in a loud, melodious voice, pausing after each line. Lift your hands, palms open, and put your fingers in your ears as you give the call. Turn your head to the right as you say “Hayya ‘ala-s-salah” and to the left as you say “Hayya ‘ala-l-falah”.

This is the call to pray for Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib and 'Isha'

Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar Allâhu Akbar (God is the Greatest)

Ash-hadu Al-lââ Ilâha Illa-llâh, Ash-hadu Al-lââ Ilâha Illa-llâh (I bear witness that there is no god but the One God)

Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasûlu-llâh, Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasûlu-llâh (I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God)

Hayya ‘Ala-S-Salâh, Hayya ‘Ala-S-Salâh (Come fast to prayer)

Hayya ‘Ala-l-Falâh, Hayya ‘Ala-l-Falâh (Come to success)

Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar (God is the Greatest)
 

Lââ Ilâha Illa-llâh (There is no god but the One and True God)
 

in the adhan for the Subh (Dawn) Prayer (also commonly called the Fajr Prayer), the following words are added after Hayya ‘ala-l-falah:

As-Salatu khairun min an-naum, As-Salatu khairun min an-naum.

Prayer is better than sleep, Prayer is better than sleep.

The Sunnah (practice of the Prophet) recommends that while the adhan is being called, one should listen attentively and repeat it silently after the muadhdhin, but when he says “Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah” and “Hayya ‘ala-l-falah” one should say:

La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.

There is no might or power except with Allah.

After the adhan, it is recommended to say the following du‘a’ (supplication):

Allahumma rabba hadhihi-d-da‘awati-t-tammati wa-s-Salati-l-qa’imati, ati Muhammadan il-wasilata wa-l-fadilata wa-d-darajata-r-rafî‘ati wa-b‘ath-hu maqamam mahmudan illadhi wa‘adtahu.

0 Allah, Lord of this most perfect call, and of the Prayer that is about to be established, grant to Muhammad the favor of nearness (to You) and excellence and a place of distinction, and exalt him to a position of glory that You have promised him.

Iqamah (Standing Up For Prayer)

Iqamah means to stand up for the Salah (ritual Prayer). It is a Sunnah (practice of the Prophet) to call the iqamah just before the Salah begins, whether the salah is performed individually or in congregation.

The words of the iqamah are the same as the adhan, except that after “Hayya ‘ala-l-falah” one says:

Qad qamati-s-Salah, Qad qamati-s-Salah.

Prayer is ready, Prayer is ready.

It is recommended that the hearer of the iqamah should repeat it after the muqim (the one who announces the iqamah), and when he says “Qad qamati-s-Salah” the hearer should respond by saying:

Aqamaha-llahu wa adamaha.

May Allah keep it established forever.

Al-Iqama: The Call to Commence Prayer
 

The iqama is given just before beginning the Salah. It is recited quickly with a staccato rhythm.

Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar Allâhu Akbar (God is the Greatest)

Ash-hadu Al-lââ Ilâha Illa-llâh, Ash-hadu Al-lââ Ilâha Illa-llâh (I bear witness that there is no god but the One God)

Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasûlu-llâh, Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasûlu-llâh (I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God)

Hayya ‘Ala-S-Salâh, Hayya ‘Ala-S-Salâh (Come fast to prayer)

Hayya ‘Ala-l-Falâh, Hayya ‘Ala-l-Falâh (Come to success)

Qadå Qamati-S-Salâh Qadå Qamati-S-Salâh (Prayer is ready, Prayer is ready)

Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar (God is the Greatest)

Lââ Ilâha Illa-llâh (There is no god but the One and True God)

 

3) Zakat

Obligatory charity giving is an act of devotion and religious investment. Zakah does not only cleanse the belongings of the giver but also cleanses his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the receiver from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it promotes instead kindness and warm wishes for the givers. It also frees society from welfare, distrust and dishonesty. Zakah is paid on the net balance after paying personal expenses, family expenses, due credits, taxes, etc. Taxes paid to government do not substitute for this religious duty. The giver should not seek pleasure or recognition but if revealing his name and his donation is likely to promote others, it is acceptable to do so. One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

The recipients of Zakah are:

- the poor, the needy,
- the new Muslim converts,
- the Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them),
- Muslims in debt,
- employees appointed to collect Zakah,
- Muslims in service of research or study or propagation of Islam,
- wayfarers who are foreigners in need of help.
 

Note that Zakah is obligatory. Muslims can also go above and beyond what they pay as Zakah, in which case the offering is strictly voluntary (blessing will come to those who wish for his brother what he wishes for himself).
 

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.

A devout person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

4)Fasting-Sawm

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month of Ramadan. It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches man the principle of genuine love to God, creative sense of hope, devotion, tolerance, selflessness, self-discipline, etc.. Fasting during this time is obligatory on every Muslim adult if he is mentally and physically fit and not on a journey. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although the fast is most valuable to the health, it is regarded primarily as a method of self cleansing. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true understanding with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.

5) PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

 The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. It is obligatory to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. It is to honor the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of Allah on earth: the Ka'bah. It is also to remember the great assemblage of the Day of Judgment when people will stand equal before Allah. Muslims go to Mecca to praise Allah, not to worship a man. The visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad at Madena is highly recommended but not essential in making the Hajj valid and complete.

The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.

By IOL Team

`Eid Al-Fitr

`Eid Al-Fitr is a happy occasion for Muslims. They come to the `Eid Prayers with a sense of accomplishment for having fasted the month of Ramadan and for coming closer to Allah. It is a time for sharing zakat al-fitr with the poorest of the poor. (Zakat al-fitr must be paid before the `Eid Prayers.) It is a time for Muslim families and friends to worship and celebrate together.

There are two Islamic public celebrations each year. These are `Eid Al-Fitr (also known as the Lesser Bairam, a name from Turkish) at the end of Ramadan and `Eid Al-Adha (also known as the Greater Bairam) during the Hajj season. These celebrations begin with special congregational Prayers (salah) followed by a sermon called a khutbah. The Prayers are held between sunrise and noon, usually early in the morning.

It is a highly recommended sunnah to attend these Prayers. It is also sunnah to hold them outside of the mosque, such as in a park, if possible. It is sunnah to make ghusl (cleansing of the body) before attending, and to wear one’s best clean clothes, even new clothes if possible. Men (but not women) should also apply perfume before the Prayers.

Why do Muslims pray during `Eid? To find out, read Establishing Prayer Even in `Eid.

People usually gather for this Prayer early and sit beforehand reciting aloud the Takbir, which is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar.

Laa ilaha illa-llaah.

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, wa lillaahi-l-hamd.

(Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest,

Allah is Greatest.

There is no god but Allah.

Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, and to Allah is all praise.)

In some communities other words are recited as well, but the above words are the sunnah. In non-Arab countries, the words of the Takbir are often printed and distributed to the people just before the Prayer.

It is also a sunnah to say the Takbir aloud together after each Prayer on the days of `Eid.

There is no Adhan or Iqamah (the second call to Prayer) for the `Eid Prayer.

The Prayer itself consists of two rak`ahs, which the imam says aloud. Before the first rak`ah the imam raises his hands to his ears and says “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greatest) seven times. The congregants should raise their hands to their ears and repeat after him. Before the second rak`ah the imam says “Allahu Akbar” in the same way but only five times.

After the Prayer the congregants should sit and listen to the sermon. When it finishes, they should exchange greetings and wish each other a happy `Eid. There is usually some sort of celebration after the Prayers—such as sweets shared or games for the children—according to local custom.

`Eid Al-Fitr should be a happy time for all Muslims. In Muslim countries there are often special foods or customs associated with `Eid. Many converts adapt their old customs (such as holiday cookies and gifts for children) to `Eid, and there is nothing wrong with this as long as it is done in moderation and the focus remains on the spiritual meaning of `Eid.

Jumu`ah (Friday Congregational) Prayer

On Fridays, Muslim men must perform the weekly congregational Prayer called the Jumu`ah Prayer. This Prayer replaces the Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer on Friday and it is obligatory for all men to attend it. Women may also perform the Jumu`ah Prayer if they wish, but it is not obligatory for them. This Prayer replaces the regular Zhuhr Prayer. However, if someone is unable to attend the Jumu`ah Prayer, he or she should pray four rak`ahs of Zhuhr.

The Prayer is preceded by a sermon called a khutbah, which is delivered in two parts with a short break (about one minute) between the two parts.

It is highly recommended to read Surat Al-Kahf (surah 18) and to invoke Allah’s blessings on Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) during the day and night of Friday. It is also highly recommended to supplicate on Friday.

It is Sunnah to perform ghusl (cleansing of the whole body) on Friday and to put on clean good clothes before attending the Jumu`ah Prayer. Men (but not women) should also apply perfume before attending the Prayer.

The first thing to do in the mosque is to pray two rak`ahs of Sunnah Prayer, known as the tahiyyat or greeting of the mosque. Even if one arrives after the beginning of the sermon, he should pray two short rak`ahs before sitting down. While waiting for the sermon to start, one may recite Qur’an or listen to it being recited.

As the time approaches, the muezzin announces the first Adhan. Then the imam goes to the minbar (pulpit), faces the worshipers and greets them with, “As-Salaamu `alaykum!” (Peace be with you!)

He then sits down facing the congregants. At this moment, the second Adhan is announced, and the imam begins the sermon.

After the sermon, the two rak`ahs of Jumu`ah Prayer are offered in congregation. The imam recites the Prayer aloud.

How to Perform Salah (Ritual Prayers)

The first step of becoming a Muslim is to declare the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith). The words mean, “I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Servant and Messenger of Allah.” 

Once this is done, performing the ritual Prayer called Salah five times a day becomes obligatory. Each Prayer must be performed at its specified time everyday.

It is highly recommended that men perform the five daily Prayers in congregation at a mosque. However, women—especially those with young children—may pray at home. If there is not a mosque nearby, one can pray at home, school, the workplace, et cetera.

Conscientious performance of the ritual Prayers is an important quality of a believer that distinguishes him from a non-believer, and it should be done in complete humility and submissiveness to Allah. While performing the Prayer, a person should give it his undivided attention. He should not look around, talk to anyone, answer the door or phone, or attend to any worldly matters during Prayer.

The words of the ritual Prayer must be said in Arabic, though non-Arab new Muslims can pray in their own language until they learn the Prayers in Arabic. The best way to learn how to perform Prayer is to watch other Muslims. In sha’ Allah (If Allah wills) we will soon have online a flash file to show you how to pray.

Names and Times of the Five Prayers

The times of the Prayer are determined by the position of the sun. Thus the times vary from one place to another and from season to season. Most Muslims today refer to a Prayer schedule published by their local mosque. You can also find the exact times of the Prayers online at www.islamicfinder.com.

It is best to pray right after the start of the time for the Prayer, but one may wait a bit to pray. The Prayer is considered on time if it is offered before the end of its time period. (See below.)

Fajr or Subh (Dawn Prayer) takes place before sunrise. At moderate latitudes, it begins approximately one hour and twenty minutes before sunrise and ends about ten minutes before sunrise.

Zhuhr (Noon Prayer) begins just after the sun has passed the meridian. It lasts until shortly before the ‘Asr Prayer begins.

‘Asr (Afternoon Prayer) begins when the length of the shadow of an object is equal to the object’s length plus the shadow’s length at noon. It ends about 10 minutes before sunset.

Maghrib (Sunset Prayer) begins immediately after sunset. At moderate latitudes, it ends before complete darkness approaches.

‘Isha’ (Night Prayer) begins, at moderate latitudes, when the sky is completely dark and ends just before the Dawn Prayer.

•   Part I: Before You Start

•   Part II: Steps in Ritual Prayer

•   Part III: Praying in Congregation (Jama`ah)