Five Pillars of Islam

1. Every Muslim must BELIEVE in and DECLARE the KALIMA which means that there is none worthy of worship but ALLAH, and MUHAMMAD is ALLAH's Messenger.

2. Daily Five times prayer

* The human being is the only creature who has been distinguished from other creatures with the instinct of knowing right from wrong. He is, therefore, the only one who is expected to be the perfect image of his Creator. That is why the objective of his life is to know his Creator and become a perfect image of his attributes, as Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
"I have not created jins and humans but, for my worship" (Q.S. 51:56)

"The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance".  (Quran 09:18)

To Learn how to pray, visit www.howdomuslimspray.com 

3. ZAKATH

"The offerings (Zakah) given for the sake of God are meant only for the poor and the needy, and those who are in charge thereof, and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and for those who are over burdened with debts, and [for every struggle] in God's cause, and for the wayfarer: this is an ordinance from God - and God is all-knowing, wise."

(Quran 9:60)

4. Fasting

Hadhrat Salmaan (radiallahu anhu) narrates that during the last Juma' of the month of Sha'baan Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) recited a Khutbah in which he said;  

"O People! An auspicious month has dawned over you. In that month is a night which is superior to a thousand months (i.e. ibaadat in this night is superior to the ibaadat rendered in a thousand months. Allah Ta'ala has made compulsory fasting in this month and has decreed wakefulness at night (i.e. Taraaweeh Salaat) Sunnat. A Nafl (non- obligatory or optional) act rendered in this month for attaining proximity to Allah, is equal to a Fardh act rendered in other months. A Fardh act rendered in this month is equal to seventy Fardh acts of other months. Whoever gives to a fasting person something for iftaar, his sins will be forgiven and he will be saved from Jahannum; he obtains as much thawaab as the fasting person (to whom he had given something for iftaar) while the thawaab of the person is not reduced in any way."
The people asked: ‘ O Rasulullah! All of us are not by the means to give something for the iftaar of another. (They were at the time under the impression that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) referred to a full meal).  

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"This thawaab is even for the man who gives another a date, a drink of water or milk (for iftaar)." (Ibn Khuzaimah)
Another special ibaadat during the month of Ramadhan is I'tikaaf during the last ten days. I'tikaaf during Ramadhan is an ibaadat which belongs to the class of Sunnat known as Sunnatul Kifaayah. This ibaadat is a collective Sunnat upon all. However, if a few, even one person, renders the I'likaaf, the Sunnat obligation will be discharged on behalf of the whole community. The Ibaadat of I'tikaaf consists of secluding oneself inside the Musjid for the last ten days of Ramadhan. The time has to be passed in in ibaadat. Some hadith regarding the significance of I'tikaaf are enumerated hereunder.  

1. Hadhrat Ali Ibn Husain narrates from his father that Rasulullah; (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"He who observes the ten days i'tikaaf during Ramadhan will obtain the thawaab of two Hajj and two Umrah."  

2. Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said in regard to those who observe I'tikaaf:
"They are prevented from all sins and they obtain thawaab as if they are rendering all good deeds." (Mishkaat)
By the practice of i'tikaaf, one gains the opportunity of continuous residence in the Musjid.  

Women who intend to observe Itikaaf should do so at home. They should seclude themselves in a particular place at home. The special acts of Ibaadat of the month of Ramadhan terminate with he coming of Eid. The hadith explains great significance of the Day of Eid as well. In a lengthy hadith, Hadhrat Anas (radiallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said;  

"When Eid arrives, Allah Ta'ala addresses the Malaaikah:
'They (Muslims) have fulfilled My Fardh. They have emerged to make dua. I take oath by My Splendour, by My Grandeur, by My Grace and by My Loftiness that I will most certainly accept their petition.
Allah Ta'ala then proclaims to the Believers:
'Return! I have forgiven you and I have exchanged your evil deeds with virtues.
They thus return from the Musalla (where the Eid Salaat was performed) forgiven." (Mishkaat).

5. Hajj

What has the experience of Hajj taught me? First one must ask - what does Hajj mean? In essence, Hajj is man's evolution toward Allah. It is a symbolic demonstration of the philosophy of Creation of Adam. To further illustrate this, it may be stated that the performance of Hajj is a simultaneous show of many things; it is a "show of creation", a "show of history", a "show of unity", a " show of the Islamic ideology" and a show of the Ummah.
The following conditions prevail in this " show". Allah (God) is the stage manager. The theme portrayed is the actions of the people involved. Adam, Ibrahim, Hajar, and Satan are the main characters. The scenes are Masjid-ul Haram, the Haram area, Masa, Arafat, Mashars and Mina. Important symbols are the Kaaba, Safa, Marwa, day, night, sunshine, sunset, idols and ritual of sacrifice. The clothing and make up are Ihram, Halgh and Taqseer. Lastly, the player of the roles in this "show" is only one; and that is YOU!  

Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, black or white, you are the main feature of the performance. The role of Adam, Ibrahim and Hajar in the confrontation between "Allah and Satan" is played by you. As a result, you, individually, are the hero of the "show".  

Annually, Muslims from all over the world are encouraged to participate in this great " show" (Hajj). Everyone is considered equal. No discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or social status is made. In accordance to the teachings of Islam, ALL ARE ONE AND ONE IS ALL.  

The one who restores somebody's life, has restored the life of all and the one who kills one, has killed all.  

Yet the enemies of Islam continue to deliberately wage a campaign against Islam. They attack it by denying that Islam recognizes the human being as an individual endowed with special rights and values. In terms of the concept of Hajj, it is relegated to the status of a duty which has very little significance. As Imam Ali, the son of Kaaba says:  

As if Islam is a lamb fur-coat that is put on inside out.  

What have I personally learned from Hajj-me being so "little" and Hajj being so "great" in meaning? How far and what could I see from this experience? The following pages are the product of my humble efforts to answer these questions. My purpose is not to inform the reader what must be done during Hajj. This can be attained by referring to the book of rituals. Instead, I want to share with you my perceptions of the significance of Hajj. They should help you to understand why it is incumbent upon Muslims to perform this duty, or at least motivate you to think about Hajj.