A Synopsis of the 5 Pillars of Islam

In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful

The Praise belongs to Allah Lord of All the Worlds. The Compassionate the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship and serve, You Alone we ask for help. Guide us straight path. The path of those upon whom is your favour. Not the path of those upon whom is your wrath, nor the path of those who have gone astray.

Quran, 1:1-7 (Al Fatiha/ The Opening)

It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah son of ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

(The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), testifying (the fact) that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His bondsman and messenger, and the establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, Pilgrimage to the House (Ka’ba) and the fast of Ramadan.

Sahih Muslim 16c, Book 1, Hadith 21

Entering Islam

According to the majority of Muslim scholars, a person enters Islam by a testimony of faith:

Ashadu an Laa ilaha illa Allah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah (s). 

I testify that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (p)

The first and foremost practical aspects that a new Muslim is taught are the five pillars of Islam and the six pillars of Faith (Iman).

The Pillars of Islam

1. To testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger (s)
2. To establish the obligatory prayers
3. To spend a part of one’s wealth in charity
4. To fast the month of Ramadan
5. To perform the Hajj when one can do so.

These pillars of Islam are further explained within the four schools of Sunni law which are as follows:

Believing in Allah:

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.

1. Say, “He is God, the One.

2. God, the Absolute.

3. He begets not, nor was He begotten.

4. And there is none comparable to Him.”

Qur’an, 112

1. To believe that Allah is One without partners, He is eternal- without beginning and end, that He does not have offspring, nor does He have parents (a product of creation), and that there is nothing that can be compared with Him.
2. To believe in Allah with all His Names and attributes, and to accept all His laws.
3. To believe that Allah sent down revelations to various Messengers such as the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an.
4. To believe that the Qur’an contains the words of Allah.
5. To believe that Allah will hold everyone to account on the day of Judgement resulting in either going to Heaven or going to Hell.

Belief in the Prophet Muhammad (s):

He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.

Qur’an, 3:3

1. Allah sent the revelation of the Qur’an to Muhammad (s).
2. Allah chose Muhammad (s) to be his final Prophet and Messenger and that there are no Messengers or Prophets to come after him.
3. That the Prophet Muhammad (s) is the perfect example for all of mankind.
4. That the Prophet Muhammad (s) was a human being (and did not possess divinity).

To Establish the Prayers

And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.

Qur’an, 4:103

All Muslim scholars agree that the five daily prayers are obligatory on all sane, adult Muslims.

Pre-requisites of the prayer

1. That the person is Muslim
2. That the person is in a state of ritual purity (wudhu)

            The wudhu is accomplished by:

            1. Washing the face with pure water

            2. To wash the hands up to the elbows

            3. To wipe the head.

            4. To wash or wipe the feet.

O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.

Qur’an, 5:6

If the person is in a state of major impurity due to having had sexual intercourse, or after menstruation, or post-natal bleeding, to enter a state of ritual purity the person must wash themselves completely. That is, water must touch the persons entire body such that it flows over it, or the person should be immersed in a body of water such that the condition of the water does not change (a large body of water).

• That the time for the prayer has arrived
• That the person be dressed (at least the private parts should be covered, though the extent of being dressed is disagreed on)
• That the place of prayer is free from filth such as feces and urine.
• That a person faces the qibla if known or to guess where it might be.

The Prayer Times

1. The morning prayer starts with the first sign of light until before sun rise. Scholars disagree on what constitutes the first sign of light.
2. The early afternoon prayer starts immediately after zenith until the sun is halfway between zenith and sunset, or when the sun is nearer to sun set, or right up until before the sun sets.
3. The late afternoon prayer starts immediately after the conclusion of the early afternoon prayer, or when the sun is halfway between zenith and sunset, and before sunset.
4. The early evening prayer starts immediately after the sun has set or when the first sign of darkness is witnessed from the east.
5. The late evening prayer starts immediately after the early evening prayer, or when it is completely dark outside, or up until midnight, or until just before the early morning prayer.

The prayer times thus stated are invoked as being either on time, when prayed separately within the time frame of each, or they are said to be joined when the two afternoon prayers and two evening prayers are prayed together, or they are said to be shortened and joined, when the prayers that are permissible to join are also shortened, or they are shortened and not joined. Scholars disagree as to the reasons for joining and or shortening the prayers. They include travel, rain, fear, and convenience (though not out of habit).

The format of the prayer

The morning prayer consists of two units, the afternoon prayers consist of four units each, and early evening prayer consists of three units, and the night prayer consists of four units.

1. The prayer is opened with saying, “Allahu Akbar”
2. It is obligatory, unless unable, to stand in the prayer, bow (ruku) and prostrate (sujud).
3. It is considered obligatory by most scholars to recite the Opening Chapter, Al Fatiha. Although not considered obligatory by some, and or not considered obligatory in every prayer unit except for the audible units.
4. It is considered obligatory to pause within each movement.
5. It is considered obligatory to say the tashahud and salaam at the end of each prayer but scholars differ on some of the wordings regarding it and what of it is obligatory and what of it is optional.
6. The morning prayer, the two evening prayers and the congregational prayers of Jumuah, the two Eids, and some optional prayers such as that of the prayer for rain, for the solar and lunar eclipse etc, are done by reciting the verses of the Qur’an audibly. There is disagreement on whether the morning prayer should be audible when done after the sun has risen.

Zakah (Charity to the poor)

It is agreed upon that zakah is obligatory on every Muslim who is not poor. Poverty is defined as having less than the minimum amount of wealth in one’s possession for the period of one year. This minimum amount is called the nisab: the amount is disagreed on because it was usually decided on by the State. In modern times some scholars believe the nisab was set by the Prophet Muhammad (s) at a rate equivalent to 87.48 grams of gold and 612.36 grams of silver (85 grams of gold and 595 grams of silver according to another opinion). In other words, if you have more than 87.48 grams of gold or its equivalent for the period of a full year you will be eligible to pay the zakah of 2.5% to selected categories of people. As of today, December 10th 2021, that would be equivalent to $4684 or R75 000 in your possession  for a period of a year. However, it is not simply having more than the nisabin cash in your possession, but also takes into account fixed business assets and cash in hand minus money owed.

But those firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you. And the establishers of prayer [especially] and the givers of zakah and the believers in Allah and the Last Day – those We will give a great reward.

Qur’an, 4:162

In general, zakah is where those who have give charity to those who don’t have. The closest equivalent to the early mechanisms of zakah is the State tax we have today. It is for that reason that the establishment of zakat, according to some scholars, cannot be fulfilled outside of an Islamic government. Most of the early Islamic scholars lived under Islamic governments and the assumption was that zakat is collected by the office of the government and not given voluntarily. In modern times, scholars agree, that zakat must be given nevertheless, and scrupulously calculated by individuals and through the use of organizations such as this one:  https://nzf.org.uk/nisab/

Finally, I personally, would like to note that zakah is mentioned in the Qur’an nearly as often as the salah (prayer) and very often in conjunction with the salah. It is my contention that zakah is therefore to be given nearly as often as the offering of the prayer as part of the believers’ generosity of spirit. The calculated amount of the obligatory zakah was the early Muslims equivalent of state tax and fell under the bracket of zakah because the state took it upon itself to look after the needs of the poor. However, in a broad and general sense, zakah is also voluntary charity to look after the needs of the poor.

Fasting

 Fasting during the month of Ramadan, which is the 9th month of the lunar calendar, is compulsory on every sane adult Muslim. The point of fasting is to teach Muslims self-control so that they can more easily uphold the commandments of Allah through being able to reign themselves in when tempted towards forbidden things. If a person is able to stay away from things that are ordinarily permissible for one month of the year, reigning in one’s necessary appetites, then one can for the rest of the year stay away from forbidden things more readily.

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺. Believers, God commanded fasting for you just as he commanded it for those who came before you so that you might be mindful of God.

Qur’an, 2:183

The method of fasting

1. One may not eat, drink, or have sexual intercourse from after the Fajr (the first sign of light) until after the sun has set, or the first sign of darkness.
2. One must stay away from all prohibited acts.
3. People who are too sick to fast or are travelling may fast the days in at a later time, after the month of Ramadan. Some scholars believe that such a person must also pay a compensation for each day missed called fidya.
4. People who are regularly too sick to fast do not have to fast the days in at a later time, but must feed one poor person with a meal or its equivalent for each day missed (fidya).
5. Scholars disagree on whether the person who has missed the fasting days due to sickness or travel should only make up for it by fasting other days, or whether they should in addition pay the fidya. They agree that someone who cannot fast at all should pay the fidya only.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca is obligatory on sane adult Muslims who are by the means to make the journey. Anyone who is unable to make the journey because of lack of means will not be held liable for having not made the journey.

Accomplish the Hajj and the ‘Umrah for Allah, but if you are restricted, then (sacrifice) whatever animal of offering is available, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its place. But if anyone of you is ill, or has some trouble with his scalp, then there is a ransom through fasting or alms giving.And when you are safe, then, whoever avails the advantage of the ‘Umrah along with the Hajj shall make an offering of whatever animal is available. However, any one who finds none shall fast for three days during Hajj, and for seven days when you return; thus they are ten in all. This is for him whose family folk are not residents of Al-Masjid-ul-Harām. Fear Allah and be aware that Allah is severe in punishment.

2:196

The compulsory parts of Hajj

1. The Muslim undertaking the Hajj must enter Ihram (a state of purity- including ritual purity- donning two white pieces of unstitched cloth, one around the waist and one over the shoulders) at or before the miqat (the location for putting on the ihram) either by entering the state of Ihram through intention at the miqat or only donning the Ihram at that time. The Muslim woman wears anything that covers her entire body excluding her hands, face and feet. The start of Ihram prohibits the muhrim (the person who is in the state of ihram) from: wearing any other clothing aside from the ihram, cutting nails and hair, wearing perfume, marrying, or having sexual intercourse or performing any sexual acts.
2. It is compulsory to do tawaaf around the Kaaba seven times.
3. It is compulsory to spend time on Arafah

The types of Hajj

1. Tamattu

The pilgrim enters Makkah for the purpose of Umrah (with that intention) during the month of Thul Hijjah, performs Umrah and exists the state of Ihram. He then enters Ihram again on the 8th of Thul Hijjah before proceeding to do the Hajj.

2) Ifraad

The person enters Makkah for the purpose of Hajj only and does his Tawaf on arrival, either doing his Sa’y for Hajj immediately after Tawaaf or before proceeding to Mina or postponing the Sa’y to after Eid. He remains in Ihram until after stoning the Jamrah al Aqaba on Eid day.

3) Qiran

A pilgrim wears Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj or he wears Ihram first for Umrah, then makes intentions for Hajj before his Tawaf for Hajj. He must slaughter a sacrificial animal.

A brief description of the Hajj only

The Hajj starts on the eight day of Thul Hijjah where the pilgrim will don his Ihram to go to Mina before the prayer of Thuir. He will spend the entire day and night there praying Fajr there on the morning of the 9th day of Thul Hijjah. He will proceed to Arafah after the sun had risen and pray Thuir and Asr there spending the day in supplication until sunset. He will then go to Muzdalifa where he will pray Maghrib, Isha and Fajr. After Fajr the pilgrim goes to Mina to stone the Jamrah al Aqaba with seven pebbles. He then slaughters the sacrificial animals, eats some of it and gives some to the poor. He shaves or clips his hair and exits the stage of Ihram with the exception of not being able to engage in sexual relations. He then goes to Makkah to perform Tawaf al Ifada and Say’i. The pilgrim is now allowed to do everything that is lawful including marital relations. He returns to Mina to spend the nights of the 11th and 12th there and stones all three jamaraat after noon on both days. Before leaving Makkah he performs tawaaf al widaa (fairwell).

You can read a simple guide to the Hajj on the following link:

https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2017/08/23/Hajj-pilgrimage-explained-Steps-rituals-and-significance

Scholars disagree on whether the Hajj is compulsory alone or if the Hajj also includes the Umrah and therefore both are compulsory. This concludes our brief description of the five pillars of Islam and its compulsory aspects.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A Bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it.” The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan.” The Bedouin said, “By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this.” When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man.”

Sahih Al Bukhari: 1394