Islam: The Five Pillars Of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam allow a Muslim adherent to demonstrate total submission to the will of Allah. The Five Pillars of Islam are Belief (Shahada), Obligatory prayers (Salat), Almsgiving (Zakat), Fasting (Sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). Total submission to Allah occurs in three ways. Shahada strives to promote dedication and total acceptance of faith. Hajj and Salat assist in submission to Allah as they are practical manifestations of faith that provide a continuous link to Allah. In performing Sawm and Zakat, adherents please Allah and are reminded of his authority and power.
The First Pillar, which is Belief (shahada), promotes total submission to the will of Allah through an adherent’s acceptance of faith. Shahada consists of two declarations; the first of which affirms that “There is no god but God” and the second attests “Muhammad is the messenger of God”. The Quran states that “And your God is One God: there is no god but He”, affirming that Muslims must worship Allah alone (Quran 2:163). These two declarations of faith not only testify an adherent’s belief in Allah and Muhammad, but also that adherents will wholeheartedly embrace Islam and obey all commitments to Allah. Thus, these two declarations demonstrate submission to Allah …show more content…
Zakat is an alms tax that is paid to feed the poor and the needy. The Quran states this: “As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat)” is a “duty imposed by Allah” (Quran 9:60) hence, zakat is obligatory in order to assist the troubled. The amount required to donate is 2.5 percent of one’s income and is a remembrance of one’s social responsibility to their wider community. The concept of wealth is considered a gift from Allah, consequently, performing zakat is a form of spiritual purification to cleanse one’s wealth for the will of Allah. Giving up a part of one’s wealth, therefore, is a form of submission to
The First Pillar, which is Belief (shahada), promotes total submission to the will of Allah through an adherent’s acceptance of faith. Shahada consists of two declarations; the first of which affirms that “There is no god but God” and the second attests “Muhammad is the messenger of God”. The Quran states that “And your God is One God: there is no god but He”, affirming that Muslims must worship Allah alone (Quran 2:163). These two declarations of faith not only testify an adherent’s belief in Allah and Muhammad, but also that adherents will wholeheartedly embrace Islam and obey all commitments to Allah. Thus, these two declarations demonstrate submission to Allah …show more content…
Zakat is an alms tax that is paid to feed the poor and the needy. The Quran states this: “As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat)” is a “duty imposed by Allah” (Quran 9:60) hence, zakat is obligatory in order to assist the troubled. The amount required to donate is 2.5 percent of one’s income and is a remembrance of one’s social responsibility to their wider community. The concept of wealth is considered a gift from Allah, consequently, performing zakat is a form of spiritual purification to cleanse one’s wealth for the will of Allah. Giving up a part of one’s wealth, therefore, is a form of submission to