Chapter 3: The Pillars of Islam Flashcards
What is the First Pillar of Islam.
Shahadah: The First Pillar of Islam.
The first pillar of Islam is the Shahada, the declaration of faith, consisting of two parts: “There is no god but God” and “Muhammad is the messenger of God.” This statement is recited in Arabic as:** lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāhu muḥammadun rasūlu-llāh (لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله)**, and it is required to become a Muslim.
The first part,
“There is no god but God,”
emphasizes the faith’s unity, asserting the monotheistic nature of Islam. The second part,
“Muhammad is the messenger of God,”
highlights God’s mercy and Muhammad’s role as the final prophet and guide for all Muslims.
The Shahada is recited five times daily before during prayer, marking its significance from birth to death in a Muslim’s life.
The Shahadah is spoken as the first words a Muslim baby hears upon entering the world as part of the adhan, and Muslims strive for the Shahadah to be their last words upon their death.
Reference Material
"Islam is constructed upon five (pillars), bearing the witness that there is no worshiped one (God) except Allah and Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a slave to Him and His messenger, establishing Prayers (Salah), paying Charity (Zakah), performing pilgrimage ( Hajj) and keeping Fasts of Ramadan (Saum)" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
"I created not Jinn and Mankind except for that they should worship me." Surah Dhariyat | Verse 56 [51:56 Quran]
What is the Second Pillar of Islam?
Salah: The Second Pillar of Islam.
The Second Pillar of Sunni Islam is Salah, or prayer. Before praying, ablutions are performed, including washing hands, face, and feet.
A Muezzin chants from a raised place in the mosque. Quran verses are recited aloud or silently. These prayers, called prostrations, are done five times daily, facing Mecca:
- Fajr (dawn)
- Dhuhr (noon)
- Aṣr (afternoon)
- Maghrib (evening)
- Ishāʾ (night)
Fajr is before sunrise, Dhuhr at midday, Asr in the evening, Maghrib after sunset, and Isha at night.
Muslims wash before prayer (wudu). The prayer involves bowing, standing, prostrating, and sitting. “Allah is great” is recited with each change.
Muslims can pray anywhere but prefer mosques for fellowship. Women, prepubescent children, and those with disabilities are exempt. The sick must still pray, even lying down. While traveling, afternoon prayers can be combined, as can sunset and late evening prayers.
Reference Material
"The beginning of the time for Salah is pleasing to Allah, and the end of its time is pardoned by Allah." (Jami at-Tirmidhi 172), so don't you want to begin the prayer on time and at earliest to please your Almighty, without which you cannot attain the place in Jannah.
"Surely the Salah at fixed hours (of the day and night) has been enjoined upon the believers." Surah An-Nisa | Verse 103 [4:103 Qur'an].
What is the Third Pillar of Islam?
Zakat: The Third Pillar of Islam
The Third Pillar of Islam, Zakāt, is the practice of giving alms or charity, signifying purification of one’s wealth. Muslims are required to donate around 2.5% of their wealth to support the Islamic community, as detailed in the hadith, for the upkeep of holy places, assistance to the needy, and overall growth.
The word Zakāt literally means “to grow and to purify.”
Zakāt is obligatory for all financially capable Muslims, reflecting the belief that all belongs to God. It involves spending on the poor, debtors, or travelers, and additional voluntary charity (sadaqah) is encouraged.
When giving zakāt, five principles apply:
- Declare the intention to give zakāt to God.
- Pay it on the due day.
- Avoid excessive spending beyond one’s means after giving zakāt.
- Payment can be in kind, adjusting according to one’s financial situation.
- Distribute zakāt within the community it was collected from.
Reference Material
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a baldheaded poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.' Sahih al-Bukhari 1403 Book 24, Hadith 8
You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down. Surah Al Baqarah | Verse 43 [2:43 Qur'an]
"Verily, Salah restrains (oneself) from shameful and unjust deeds…" Surah Al-Ankabut | Verse 45 [29:45 Qur'an].
What is the Fourth Pillar of Islam?
Sawm: The Fourth Pillar of Islam
The Fourth Pillar of Islam, Sawm or fasting, occurs during daylight hours in the holy month of Ramadan, which shifts 11 days earlier each year due to the lunar calendar.
Sawm is mentioned in the Quran, requiring believers to abstain from food, drink, intercourse, and smoking from dawn to sunset daily. After sunset and before dawn, these restrictions are lifted. Fasting serves as a reminder of dependence on Allah and encourages reflection, increased charity, and repentance.
Ramadan fasting concludes with “Eid-ul-Fitr,” a three-day Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, marked by prayer and charitable contributions. Traditionally, Muslims break their fasts with dates.
The Quran recognizes three types of fasting:** ritual fasting (obligatory during Ramadan), fasting as repentance, and ascetic fasting. **All post-pubescent Muslims must observe fasting during Ramadan, except those with medical conditions preventing it.
Fasting helps Muslims seek closeness to God, express gratitude and dependence on Him, atone for sins, and remember the needy. During Ramadan, Muslims strive to follow Islamic teachings by avoiding negative behaviors and obscene content.
Exceptions to fasting include pre-pubescent children, those with medical conditions, the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and menstruating women. Travelers and the ill may also be excused. Missed fasts are typically made up for later, with varying requirements depending on circumstances.
Reference Material
Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "There is a gate to Paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?' When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked." [Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim].
Narrated by Abu Huraira(r.a): The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "... whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." [Imam Bukhari].
"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness" Surah Al Baqarah | Verse 183 [2:183 Qur'an]
"The most honored by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa." Surah Al-Hujurat | Verse 13 [49:13 Qur'an]
What is the Fifth Pillar of Islam?
Hajj: The Final Pillar of Islam
The Hajj, the final Pillar of Islam, is a pilgrimage required for every Muslim to make during the **12th month of the lunar calendar. **
When the pilgrim is about 6 miles (10 km) from Mecca, he or she enters the state of holiness and purity known as Ihram.
Male pilgrims wear only two white sheets, ensuring uniformity and purity. Female pilgrims may wear stiched clothing. The pilgrims cut neither their hair nor their nails until the pilgrimage rite is over.
The main rituals include walking around the Kaaba** (Tawaf)**, touching the Black Stone (Al Hajr al Aswad), traveling between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina (Rajm).
The Hajj is an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing.
The pilgrim is honoured in the Muslim community, and an Umrah, a pilgrimage made outside the Hajj season, is strongly recommended.
Reference Material
“One who comes to this House for Hajj and avoids all lewdness and sins, he returns as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Imam Bukhari & Imam Muslim]
"Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing." Surah Al Baqarah | Verse 158 [2:158 Qur'an]
"In it [Makkah] are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds." Surah Ali Imran | Verse 97 [3:97 Qur'an]
What is Tawhid?
In Islam, Tawhid conveys the notion about the oneness of Allah, in the sense that he is one and there is no god but He, as stated in the shahadah
Tawhid further refers to the nature of Allah—that he is a unity, not composed, not made up of parts, but simple and uncompounded
