Pillars of islam

Introduction The Pillars of Islam Allah has created Man and Jinn to worship Him Alone, as it is clear in the Quran: “And I created not the Jinn and Mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily; Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. Hence in order to worship Allah, it is essential that you must learn the teachings of Islam. It is obligatory that every Muslim learn about Islam in order to confidently answer whoever may ask him, “what is Islam?” or any other question about Islam. In order to provoke desire in others to embrace Islam, it is essential that every Muslim learn Islam and understand it adequately. Acquiring knowledge has great benefit for the Muslim as the Prophet said: “If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion.” He also said: “Allah will pave a path to Paradise for him who pursues a path to seek (religious) knowledge.” The greatest knowledge that a Muslim should have is to know the bases of Islam itself, which is itself based on five principles. No one can claim to be a Muslim unless he believes in these five essential rules and practises them sincerely. These pillars are: - To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger. To offer the compulsory congregational prayers dutifully and perfectly. To pay Zakaat, the obligatory charity. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. To perform Hajj whenever one is capable. The First Pillar of Islam - The Testimony To testify that there is no true god save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger has a specific meaning which the Muslim should not only know, but also practise sincerely. Whoever utters this testimony without knowing its meaning or without binding himself by it in behaviour will gain no use from it. This testimony means that there is none on the earth or in the heavens deserving to be worshipped save Allah Alone. Allah is the One True God. All other deities, whatever they may be, are all false. Therefore, whoever worships any deity besides Allah is an unbeliever and an idolater even if what he worships is a Prophet, a saint or holy man, under the pretext that this deity will be his intercessor to Allah. The unbelievers, whom the Prophet carried continuous fights in Mecca, had use this false pretext to justify the worshipping of pious men or their idols. Seeking to gain the consent of Allah, or asking for His help cannot be achieved by worshipping others than Allah, but it can be attained by serving Allah Alone, glorifying Him by His Names and Attributes, and by performing good deeds that He commanded us to do. Worshipping takes different forms, and one of them is supplication which means, to ask for something that no one can ever grant except Allah. the fall of rain, recovery from illness, relief from misfortunes, asking for salvation from the Hell-Fire, dwelling in Paradise, etc all these cases and other similar cases, one should ask Allah Alone to grant such blessings. Whoever asks a mortal being to grant him such things is indeed worshipping this being. Allah ordered His bondsmen to supplicate Him Alone for whatever they may need: - “And your Lord says: Call on Me, I will answer your (prayer), but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely enter Hell abased.” (40:60) Offering sacrifices and votive offerings are services which should be consecrated for Allah Alone. Whoever offers sacrifice or makes a vow for a dead pious man, for the Jinn or for anyone other than Allah, is an idolater cursed by Allah. The Quran states: - “Say: Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, The Cherisher of the Worlds; no partner hath He. This am I commanded and I am the first of those who bow to His will.” (6:162-163) The Prophet Muhammad said: “May Allah curse whoever offers a sacrifice to anyone other than Him (Allah).” Calling for help, asking for refuge and invoking for support are also among forms of divine services. One should not call for help, ask for refuge or seek for support from anyone else, other than Allah. The Holy Quran states: - “You Alone do we worship and You Alone do we seek for help (for each and everything).” (1:5) The Prophet Muhammad said: “Call me not for help, but call Allah your Lord.” It is permissible for a person to ask for his fellow brother’s help or support if the matter for which he asks for help is within the scope of human ability. But if such matter is beyond the scope of human ability, man must not ask for help from anyone save Allah. in all cases, it is strictly forbidden to ask for help or support from a dead or an absent person, even if he was a Prophet, is a saint or an angel. As for those who pretend to know that which is invisible, or foresee what is hidden in the future, they are unbelievers and flagrant liars. Even if what they foretell happens, it only happens by chance. It reported in the authentic sayings of the Prophet that he said: “Whoever goes to a diviner or a fortuneteller and believes in what he says, disbelieves in what has been revealed to Muhammad.” Sovereignty and legislative power are exclusive rights of Allah. this is an immediate conclusion of monotheism. Nobody has the right to enact a law contrary to the law of Allah. A Muslim should never govern or judge by laws different from the law of Allah, nor should he give his consent to any form of judgement or government based on laws contrary to the laws of Allah. According to the Islamic faith, no one has the right to forbid what Allah has made legal, nor can he legalize what Allah has forbidden. Whoever commits intentionally such a deed or approves it is a disbeliever. The Holy Quran states: - “And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the disbelievers.” (5:44) To testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah means to know and believe sincerely that Muhammad is the Prophet and Messenger whom Allah has sent to all people of the world. It means that Muhammad is a servant of Allah, thus he must not be worshipped, because worshipping is due to Allah Alone. As Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, he must be followed and obeyed, not denied. Whoever obeys Muhammad will abide in the Garden and whoever disobeys him will abide in the Hell-Fire. Allah pointed it clearly in the Quran: - “So take what the Messenger gives you and refrain from what he prohibits you, and fear Allah for Allah is strict in Punishment.” (59:7) “But no, by thy Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you (Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (4:65) This means that, according to the Islamic faith all acts of devotion, all rules of legislation and government, and all rules that explain what is lawful and what is forbidden, should be nothing else than which had been conveyed to people by the noble Messenger of Allah, Muhammad. The Muslim should not believe in any legislation different from what is transmitted by Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. These last two Quranic verses mean that Muslims should obey the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, in what he commanded them to do, and to desist from all that he prohibited them, because the Messenger neither commanded nor prohibited according to his own will or desire, but he used to do this in conformity with the revelations of Allah. It is also related in Swaheeh Muslim that the Prophet said: “Whoever performs a deed that is not in conformity with our principles, his deed will be rejected.” Thus, any wise man who wishes to attain happiness in this present life and in the Hereafter and gain salvation after death, should testify that “There is no one due to be worshipped save Allah and no one due to be followed to understand Islam save the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad.” He should also behave according to the notion of this testimony and practise the other fundamental principles of Islam which constitute the proper way to worship Allah. The Second Pillar of Islam - The Prayer The second pillar of Islam is the Prayer. The Muslim is enjoined to perform five obligatory prayers everyday to keep himself in relation with His Lord, to invoke and implore him, and to refrain himself from committing lewdness or indecency. These prayers not only ensure psychological rest to the Muslim in this present life, but they also pave the way to him to gain eternal happiness in the Hereafter. To perform prayer one should be pure, wearing pure clothes and pray in a clean place. Before prayer, the Muslim should make the traditional ablution, that is cleanse himself by pure water, removing all traces of urine or any other dirt. In this way, he purifies himself physically and morally. So, it develops the etiquette of purity and cleanliness which Allah loves: “Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, etc for the Prayer).” (2:222) Prayer is the pillar of religion. It follows in importance the two testimonies. Therefore, it is not only a duty on a Muslim to perform prayers from his maturity up to his death, but he should also order his household to perform it. He should even order his children to start practising when they are seven years old so that they may be accustomed to perform it promptly. Evidences from the Quran: - “For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.” (4:103) “And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone; to establish regular prayer and to give Zakaat, and this is the right religion.” (98:5) In the first of these two verses, Allah told people that prayer is a prescribed duty on all believers and that they should fulfill this duty at its fixed time. In the second verse, Allah made it well-known to mankind that He had created them in order to worship Him Alone, be sincere in their devotion to Him, perform Prayer and pay the Zakaat to those who deserve it. The Prophet said: “The obligation which distinguishes between us and the unbelievers is Prayer, therefore, whoever desists from Prayer, becomes an unbeliever.” Thus, Prayer is a duty on the Muslim in all circumstances. Even if he is sick or frightened he should perform his daily Prayers, standing, sitting or lying. If he is unable to perform them in these ways, he is permitted to perform it by his eye-gestures, or even by his heart. The Muslim performs his prayers in complete humility and submissiveness to Allah. He should go to his prayers peacefully and be tranquil in bowing and prostration. He should avoid haste, amusement and raising his eyes up to the sky and must not utter anything during his prayers other than the Quranic verses and the rites of his prayer. Prayer strengthen the foundation of a Muslim’s faith, prepare him for the observance of a life full of virtue and obedience to Allah and it refresh the belief from which springs courage, sincerity, purposefulness, purity of heart and advancement of the soul. It helps the Muslims to remember his Lord during the whole day as it is stated in the Quran: “Verily! I am Allah! None has the right to be worshipped save Me, so worship Me and perform As Swalaat (Prayer) for My Remembrance.” (20:14) Prayer also teaches Muslim the sense of duty, as he, without anyone’s prior remark or notice, wakes up early in the morning scarifying his sleep, leaves all his works, important or unimportant, leaves his entertainment in the afternoon or in the evening for the cause of Allah, and to perform his regular Prayer. Prayer also keeps a Muslim away from evil and enables to attain perfection. Allah talks about it in the Quran: “Verily, Prayer prevents from great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse and disbelief, polytheism and every kind of evil wicked deed.” (29:45) Regular Prayer promotes social relations between different sections of the Muslim community. Within the doors of the mosque, every Muslim feels himself in an atmosphere of equality and love. In front of his Lord, he stands shoulder to shoulder with his brothers, the king with the poorest subject, the rich with the beggar, the white with the black, the master with the slave and the educated with the unlettered. All stand in a row and prostrate before their Lord in the same way and at the same time. Differences of rank, wealth, color, etc vanish within the mosque, and replace with one of love, brotherhood, equality as it is described in the Quran: “The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion).” (49:10) Prayer inculcates in the Muslim a strong sense of discipline, punctuality and obedience, as the latter has to follow strict rules generated from the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, such as to follow the Imam (the one who leads the Prayer), the prescribed time for the it, the different aspects of this rites, etc. it is clearly elaborated in the Quran: “And seek help in patience and Prayer, and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al Khasi’oun (those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His punishment and Warning and believe in His Promise).” (2:45) The Third Pillar of Islam - The Zakaat Islam and The Needy Islam being a Religion from God has assuredly taken special care for all the components of society, whether they are male or female, children or adult, rich or poor, etc. With a simple glimpse at the Islamic Holy Book, the Quran, we’ll see that Islam urges everybody to compete for the best, whether be it his relation with his Creator, that with himself and even with his colleagues, neighbours, friends, society, etc. Islam does not prevent anyone to become rich, but it assigns each individual to help those in need, assuring them with rewards from Allah on the Day of Judgement. There are many ways by which a Muslim is supposed to help his needy brothers and sisters; such as the Zakaat, the Zakaat ul Fitr and the Sadaqah. But it is the zakaat which remains the most important source of revenue for the Muslim society to help the needy. Allah ordained every Muslim who possesses a certain amount of property to pay annually the zakaat of his possessions to the poor or to the other categories mentioned in the Quran. Allah says in the Quran: “And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah offering Him sincere devotion. Being true (in faith); to establish regular Prayer; and to give Zakaat; and that is the Right Religion.” “Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. Verily! Your invocations are a source of security for them; and Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” “And it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and date-palms, and crops of different shape and taste (their fruits and their seeds) and olives, and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in taste). Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due thereof (its zakaat, according to Allah's Orders 1/10th 0r 1/20th) on the day of its harvest, and waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not those who waste by extravagance.” In fact, zakaat has a wonderful social role. It soothes the poor’s feelings, satisfies their needs, and strengthens the bonds of mutual love among the poor and the rich. Allah says: “Zakaat is only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect it, and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam, to free captives, and for those in debts, for Allah’s cause and for the traveller who is cut off from everything; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is All Knower, All Wise.” Zakaat is not the only means that Islam has used to maintain social solidarity and co-operation among Muslims, but Islam imposes also on the rich to support the poor at times of famines and during their hardships in life. Zakaat ul Fitr is another way by which poor and needy are helped. It is an obligation on every Muslim who is not poor or in a needy state, to give about 2.5Kgs of basic meal to the poor. It is given to the poor and needy on the day of Eid ul Fitr, before the Prayer or one day in advance so as the poor and the needy could celebrate this festival as the other members of this religion. On Eid ul Adha, it is obligatory on every Muslim, who can afford, to make a sacrifice. Then it is prescribed that its meat shall be distributed into three parts. One for himself, the second for his family and the third is to be distributed to the poor and needy. Whereas the Sadaqah is the voluntary charity that people give to others without any restriction. It can be in form of liquid money, foodstuff, basic necessities, etc. So, Islam prohibits the Muslim from being seated with food while his neighbour is hungry. Allah promised to give the best rewards for those who expand their money for this sake. Their rewards will not only be multiplied by tenfold, but to 700 folds, or even to a boundless number, according to the Holy Quran. But on the other hand, those who refuse to pay zakaat and do not consider it as an obligation; they are considered as non believers, and those who refuse it because of greed and selfishness are committing a great sin and will be punished in the Hereafter. Allah says in the Quran: “And those who hoard up gold and silver [the zakaat of which has not been paid] and spend them not in the Way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment. On the Day when that [Zakaat of which has not been paid] will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them): “This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard.” The Zakaat, as we have seen, is an obligation on every free Muslim who possesses a specific amount of specific asset. Thus, Zakaat is paid on the following items only: - (1) Gold (2) Silver (3) Money (4) Bulls and cows (5) Sheep and goats (6) Camels (7) Agricultural produce Each of the following has its conditions attached to it, as it is below: - (1) Gold Minimum amount: 85 grams Condition: One year ownership. Rate: 2 1/2 % (2) Silver Minimum amount: 595 grams Condition: One year ownership. Rate: 2 1/2 % (3) Money Minimum amount: Equivalent to 595 grams of silver Condition: One year ownership. Rate: 2 1/2 % (4) Bulls and cows Minimum amount and rate: From 1 to 29 cows there is no zakaat to be paid From 30 to 39: 1 cow of 1 year From 40 to 59: 1 cow of 2 years From 60 to 69: 2 cows of 1 year From 70 to 79: 1 cow of 1 year and 1 cow of 2 years From 80 to 89: 2 cows of 2 years From 90 to 99: 3 cows of 1 year From 100 to 109: 2 cows of 1 year and 1 cow of 2 years From 110 to 119: 1 cow of 1 year and 2 cows of 2 years 120 and above: 4 cows of 1 year and 3 cows of 2 years Condition: One year ownership (5) Sheep and goat Minimum amount and rate: From 1 to 39 there is no zakaat to be paid From 40 to 120: 1 sheep of 1 year From 121 to 200: 2 sheep of 1 year From 201 to 300: 3 sheep of 1 year Above 301: 1 sheep for every 100 Condition: One year ownership (6) Camels Minimum amount and rate: From 1 to 4 there is no zakaat to be paid From 5 to 9: 1 sheep of 1 year From 10 to 14: 2 sheep of 1 year From 15 to 19: 3 sheep of 1 year From 20 to 24: 4 sheep of 1 year From 25 to 35: 1 camel of 1 year From 36 to 45: 1 camel of 2 years From 46 to 60: 1 camel of 3 years From 51 to 75: 1 camel of 4 years From 76 to 90: 2 camels of 2 years From 91 to 119: 2 camels of 3 years Above 120 camels: 1 camel of 2 years for every 40 additional camels and 1 camel of 3 years for every 50 additional camels. Condition: One year ownership. (7) Agricultural produce (e.g. fruits, rice, wheat, flour, coffee, maize, etc) Minimum amount: 750Kgs Condition: Payable on every harvest. Rate: 10 % if watered by rain water 5% if water had to be paid for. The Fourth Pillar of Islam - Fasting The fourth pillar of Islam is to fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting during this month is an act of worship which was preached by the Prophets of old and practised by believers throughout ages. Allah indicates at this in the Quran: “Oh you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious.” (2:183) “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan; he is present at home), he must observe fasts that month.” (2:185) The command for fasting during the month of Ramadan came to the Prophet two years after his migration to Medina, for the first time. Before the fasting of Ramadan, the Prophet and his companions used to fast on the tenth of Muharram, for ‘Ashourah, as it was obligatory at that time. So, fasting ‘Ashourah, was abrogated when Allah revealed these verses to His Messenger in the second year of emigration. Fasting is obligatory on every sane Muslim, who has attained the age of puberty. He has also to be in good health condition and to be present at home; that is he must not be a traveller. Special conditions are required for the Muslim woman, such as if she is experiencing her menstrual or her post natal period, she is not allowed to fast. However, if she is breast feeding her child, she can give up the fast if the latter could have negative effects on her or on her nursling baby. So, insane, disbelievers and Muslim children are all exempted from fasting; but Muslim children can observe fast as training for them. And if someone is ill and according to trustworthy doctors he will never be able to make up the missed fasts, he will have to pay the Fidya, a complete meal, for every missed fast. But if recovery is expected in some days or months, then he’ll have to make up these missed fasts afterwards. The traveller is given the chance to observe fasting or to leave it, but if he leaves it, he’ll have to make up the missed one afterwards, just like the woman experiencing her menstrual or post natal period. The old Muslim man or woman who are too feeble and weak to bear the hardships of fasting are exempted from observing fast, but they should give the Fidya, just like the fostering mother. Before the dawn of the first day of Ramadan, a Muslim intends to fast this month, and abstains every day from drinking, eating or having sexual intercourse till sunset. He performs fast till the end of the month of Ramadan, fulfilling by that the commandment of Allah, and seeking His pleasure. He is also supposed to keep away from every kind of evil, sins, temptations and bestial desires. Fast means self-control, perseverance and patience. It is a practical step leading a person to perfect purification of the soul. If someone eats or drinks absent mindedly while fasting, he should spit out what is in his mouth as soon as he remembers that he is fasting. In this case his fast is not broken. The Prophet said: “If someone forgetfully eats or drinks while he is fasting, he should continue his fast, as it is Allah Who has fed him.” He also said: “Allah forgives sins committed by mistake, forgetfulness or by compulsion.” Fasting strengthens one’s piety. It creates a barrier between oneself and the punishment of Allah. Once a person refuses to eat and drink despite he is offered the best meal, this built up in his soul the sense of responsibility. If he is refraining from things which are lawful in his everyday life, and during his fast he is not approaching it, this means that he will be more capable to refrain from unlawful things, prohibited in Islam. The Muslim’s piety increases as even if he is in a secluded place, he will not eat as he feel that Allah is observing him, so he will not even approach evil works, sins, temptations, etc. Fasting also teaches us to feel the sufferings of the poor and starving, who are forced to fast everyday because of their poverty. Fasting also teaches patience in the face of adversity when oppressed by the enemies of Islam, especially at the time of Jihad. During this month, Muslim are given the opportunity to think of the infinite bounties that Allah has granted us, with food, drink, wealth, health, etc. During Ramadan, we testify the sense of solidarity between the Muslim communities. Muslims invite their fellow brothers and sisters for the iftar and lunch at their places. They also give a lot of voluntary charity as well as the swadaqa ul fitr during this month. Some choose the month of fasting to give the zakaat, the obligatory poor due, while Muslim women share their different types of cakes to their neighbours. Eid ul Fitr Eid ul Fitr commemorates the completion of the blessed month of Ramadhaan. It is one of the two festivities of the Muslim community. The Prophet said: “I arrived at Medina, and you had two days where you used to play and amuse in the time of ignorance. So, Allah has changed these two days by two other days: Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha.” Eid ul Fitr is celebrated on the very first day of the month of Shawwal. Every nation has its own special days of festivals for merry-making and enjoyment. Each nation expresses joy and happiness in different manners. However, Muslims differ remarkably from non-Muslims in the ways of celebrating their festivities. Muslims can only feel the joy in their hearts if they have succeeded in making their Lord happy. They express their happiness by pronouncing words of God’s greatness, bow in front of Him and prostrating on the ground. Even on this very special day, Muslims have to attend to a special prayer, the Eid prayer. It is a bit different from that of the usual one. It has to be performed after the sunrise. It is also advisable to pray it outside the mosque, a place called Eid Gah or Muswallah. Everybody from the Muslim community is supposed to attend this prayer, in order to testify the special Eid sermon from the Imaam. Even women experiencing menses or post natal bleeding are supposed to attend the sermon. The sermon is delivered by the Imaam after the two rakaats prayer, which consists of twelve additional takbeers. Before attending the prayer Muslims are supposed to take a special bath on that day. He is also recommended to eat something before leaving for the prayer. This is so, in order to differ from the previous thirty or twenty nine days of fasting. The Prophet used to eat dates in an uneven number before leaving his house. Muslims proceeding to the muswallah or the mosque, wearing new clothes or special ones, on this day read the following words about Allah’s greatness: “Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, laa ilaaha illallah, Allahu Akbar wa lillah hil hamd” which means “Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no true God worthy of worship except Allah, Allah is the Greatest and to Him alone is due all praise.” Men read this aloud, whereas for the women recite it in their hearts, if they think there’ll be corruption. After the sermon, there is the big gathering on the Muswallah or in the mosque, everyone wishing his brother/sister a blessed Eid and asking Allah to accept the fasts, the prayers and all good deeds done during Ramadhaan. Returning home after the Eid sermon from a different way was the practise of the Prophet on that day. The festivities continue at everybody’s home, where they welcome relatives, neighbours, friends and colleagues. Special meals are prepared on that particular day, and normally it us the big gathering and distribution of gifts. Muslims are also allowed to listen the daf music from small girls with songs praising Allah’s greatness and unicity in worship. But even on this day Muslims are supposed to perform their daily obligations. The Zakaat ul Fitr The Zakaat ul Fitr is the right of the poor which has to be given to them before the Eid prayer. The appropriate time for giving it is after the Fajr prayer on the Eid day before the Eid prayer, but it is permissible to be given on the eve of Eid. It is compulsory on every Muslim man or woman, young or old, slave or free and even a newborn child. It is the parent who is responsible for the children and the master for the slave for giving the Zakaat ul Fitr. Zakaat ul Fitr has to be given from perishable foodstuffs such as grains, cereals, fruits and dairy products. It should be offered from the most commonly used foods in the house, for example in our country it can be offered with rice or wheat or milk. Abu Sa’eed said: “In the lifetime of the Allah’s Messenger, we used to give one Saa’ (equivalent to approximately 5lbs) of food as Zakaat ul Fitr. Our food used to be either barley, dried grapes, cottage cheese or dates.” Zakaat ul Fitr is given to the poor on that day, so as they also can commemorate this day as other individuals of the Muslim community. It also remembers the rich to help his poor brothers, on this particular day and even after Ramadhaan. The Prophet said: “Oh Muslims! Give them (the poor) as much as you can, so that they should become rich enough and have no need to go anywhere else on the day of Eid.” This demonstrates the big solidarity between the different component of the Muslim community. The Fifth Pillar of Islam - Hajj Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and it is a duty for every Muslim who possesses enough money and health for this journey to make this pilgrimage once in his lifetime. But it is also permissible for him to go on pilgrimage voluntarily more than once. It is revealed from Allah: “Pilgrimage thereto is a duty Men owe to Allah; those who can afford the journey: but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.” (3:97) Hajj has innumerable benefits: - In fulfilling this service, man expresses his devotion to Allah, not only by performing rites which needs physical effort, but he expresses also his deep spiritual devotion to Allah and spends of his money for His sake. Pilgrimage is an annual Muslim Congress, attended by Muslims from all over the world. They meet in one place, Mecca, all being dressed in one uniform, worshipping Allah the One True God and performing the same rites during the fixed period of Hajj. There is no discrimination between them; all are Allah’s bondsmen; no white man has preference over a black man, neither the rich over the poor. In this way, Muslims are acquainted with one another, co-operate one with the other, and they remember the day when they will be resurrected and gathered in front of Allah who will account them for their deeds. Thus, they prepare themselves for the Hereafter and do their best to obey Allah, their Lord. The manner of performing Hajj A Muslim who intends to perform pilgrimage should expend in this journey of his pure and lawful property and avoid using illicit gains lest it should ruin his noble pilgrimage. It is also advisable for a pilgrim to select a man of good faith to accompany him on pilgrimage. A pilgrim, whether traveling by car or by train, puts on ihram as soon as he arrives at the miqaat (station for ihram), and a pilgrim, traveling by plane, puts on ihram when he approaches the miqaat. There are five stations for ihram as per the traditions of the Prophet: Zul Hulaifa, Al Juhfa, Yalamlam, Qarn ul Manaazil and Zaatu ‘Irq. As for the inhabitants of Mecca and those who live within the area bounded by these stations, assume their ihram from their homes. The Ihram It is advisable for a pilgrim to take a bath, to clean and perfume (only for males) him before assuming ihram at the miqaat. The ihram dress for males consists of two simple seamless sheets; of white colour is preferable, one to be wrapped round the waist and the other to cover the upper part of the body. The head should not be covered. Women have no special dress for the ihram, but they should be dressed in wide veiling and unalluring clothes. After assuming ihram, a woman should neither veil her face nor use any gloves to cover her hands. Then, the pilgrim intends by heart to perform the Umrah and recite this du’ah: “Labbaik Allahumma umratan.” This means “Oh Allah! Here am I at your service intending to perform Umrah.” This is for the one who intends to do Hajj Tamattu’. But those doing Hajj Qiraan they should say “Labbaik Allahumma umratan wa hajjan” i.e. both Umrah and Hajj together. And the one intending to do the Hajj Ifraad should say “Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan” i.e. hajj only. After assuming Ihram a pilgrim is forbidden to: - Cohabit with his wife, kiss, or touch her lustfully. During the ihram he is also not allowed to marry or propose a lady; even to act as a wali during this period is illegal. Remove or trim his/her hair from any part of the body. Cut the nails of the hands and toes. Chase and kill animals, or even to help others in doing so. Use perfume on his body and garments. Cover the head, for a man. Wear shirts, trousers, hat, shoes that cover the ankle; for the man. Arriving at Mecca, the pilgrim perform the Tawaaf al Qudoom, by the Sacred House, Al Kaaba. He circumbulates around it seven times, starting at the Hajar ul Aswad. He asks for any du’ah he finds useful for himself, for his family, friends, the Muslim community; or even he can recites the Quran or making any other zikr. If there is a need for him to speak he is allowed to do so. After the circumbulation, he approaches the Maqaam Ibraheem, or any other place in the mosque, and he performs two rakaats in which he recites Surah Al Kaafiroun after Surah Al Faatiha in the first, while in the second he recites Surah Al Ikhlaas after that of Al Faatiha. After the prayer he drinks the zamzam water as the Prophet used to do it. The pilgrim then proceeds to the Safa hill where he begins his sa’ee of seven times between the two hills Safa and Marwa. It is not obligatory to climb up on both hills. After reciting the takbeer on Safa, the pilgrim walks; while invoking Allah, or reciting the Quran, towards Marwa. On arriving at Marwa one sa’ee is completed. He continues in that manner until he complete the seven sa’ee. After that, the male pilgrim is supposed to shave his head or to cut his hair, while the woman is supposed to trim a small part of her hair as long as a finger-tip. By doing this action the pilgrim returns normal that is the state of ihram is over. This is for the one performing Hajj Tamattu’ only. The pilgrim performing Hajj Qiraan is not allowed to cut his hair or to shave his head after the sa’ee and has to remain in the state of ihram until the 10th day of Zul Hijjah after the stoning and scarifying the animal which he has brought with him. As for the one performing Hajj Ifraad he also should remain in the ihram state until the 10th day of Zul Hijjah after the stoning. There is no sacrifice for the one assuming Hajj Ifraad. On the 8th day of Zul Hijjah the pilgrim, carrying Hajj Tamattu’, assumes ihram from his settlement in Mecca in the same manner it was done at the miqaat. He then says “Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan’ i.e. “Here am I my Lord, I intend to perform a Hajj.” By saying this phrase he enters the ihram state and is forbidden to perform all the actions mentioned above once again. He then proceeds to Mina, where he is supposed to perform the Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers of that day in the shorten way (qasr) as the Prophet did. The next morning he performs the fajr prayer, then after the rising of the sun on this day, 9th Zul Hijjah, he proceeds to Arafah. The 9th of Zul Hijjah, is called Yawmu Arafah, which is the most important day for the pilgrim; as the Prophet said: “Al Hajj is Arafah.” After performing the Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers shorten and combined, with only one Azaan and two Iqaamah, the pilgrim is supposed to sacrifice all the time left until sunset in invocation, Quranic recitation and supplicating Allah for forgiveness. After sunset the pilgrim leaves Arafah and proceeds to Muzdalifah where he performs the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers shorten and combined, with only one Azaan and two Iqaamah. He then takes his rest in sleeping. On the 10th of Zul Hijjah, he performs his fajr payer, and then afterwards he set for Mina, for stoning the Jamarat ul ‘Aqabah (Al Kubraa), with seven pebbles while reciting the takbeer, Allahu Akbar. After pelting the Jamarah, he offers his sacrifice and shaves his head or cut his hair, but shaving is better. As for the woman, she trims it as she did for the umrah. This is for the pilgrim offering the Hajj Tamattu’ and Qiraan. As for the one offering Hajj Ifraad, there is no sacrifice. Doing any two of these three actions; stoning, shaving and scarifying, allow the pilgrim to take off his ihram, i.e. the ihram state is over. But still he is not allowed to approach his wife for sexual intercourse, only after the tawaaf. So, the pilgrim proceeds to Mecca, where he has to make the tawaaf and the sa’ee, as he has done for the umrah. The pilgrim is then completely free to do what was prohibited during the ihram state. He then proceeds to Mina, where he has to remain for three days and nights. The 11th, 12th and 13th day of Zul Hijjah are called Ayyaam ut Tashreeq. During all these three days, the pilgrim has to stone the three Jamaraat starting with the Sughrah then the Wustwah and finally the Kubraa each with seven pebbles. And this has to be done after the zawwaal on each day and which can be carried on until late at night. If someone intends to return on the 12th day, he has the permissibility to do so, but he has to leave Mina before sunset, if not he will have to stay for the 13th day also. On the 13th day of Zul Hijjah after the stoning, the hajj is almost completed and the pilgrim returns to Mecca waiting for his departure. On the day that he is supposed to leave Mecca, he has to make the Tawaaf ul Wida, the farewell tawaaf. Women experiencing menses or past natal bleeding are exempted in performing this tawaaf. The pilgrim makes the tawaaf as he did previously for the umrah and the hajj, except that he does not make the sa’ee this time. By doing so, the pilgrim completes his hajj, and return home as the newly born child who is free from any sin. The Prophet said: “He who performs hajj and does not speak of obscenely or commit evil then he returns from his sins just as the day his mother gave birth to him.” And if he did so then his hajj would be accepted and the Messenger said: “the accepted hajj, there is no less a reward for it than Paradise.” Eid ul Adha Eid ul Adha is the second festival and last festival in the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated on the tenth of Zul Hijjah. It is the festival of the whole Muslim community except those performing the Hajj. The Hajj is the big feast for the Muslim, to be at Mecca, and other sacred places remembering Allah and performing special rituals at special places. It is not affordable for everyone to perform the Hajj every year, so those not in possessions of capacities in going for the pilgrimage can take part in these rites by doing specific actions on this very day. On Eid ul Adha, as on Eid ul Fitr a Muslim is supposed to take special bath and wear special or new clothes. There is the same special prayer as for Eid ul Fitr at the same place, same time, etc. But still Eid ul Adha has something special which make the non-pilgrim to remember his fellow brothers and sisters performing the Hajj. This deed is the sacrifice, known as Qurbani in our jargon. While doing so, the non-pilgrim is doing something similarly which the pilgrim has to do on that very day at Mina. The sacrifice made by the pilgrim is known as Hadyi, which is attached to the rites of the Hajj, whereas Qurbani has nothing to do with the Hajj rites. Qurbani is the slaughter of an animal for Allah. it shows that the Muslim is scarifying all his desires, pleasures, and worldly amusement for his Creator, Allah only. He is showing his total devotion for Allah, as Ibraheem did when he was called to sacrifice his son, Isma’eel. It has to be done with pure sincerity for Allah only as it is stated in the Quran: “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him.” Surah Al Hajj Verse 37 Qurbani is an obligatory act on every Muslim family who has the capacity in doing it. The Prophet said: “Those who have the capacity in making the sacrifice and did not do so; don’t approach our muswallah.” The Qurbani must be offered after the Eid prayer on that day until the thirtieth of Zul Hijjah by ‘Asr time. The one who has the capacity in making the sacrifice has to observe some rite as the very first day of Zul Hijjah; he is not allowed to cut his nails, to trim his hair, and to shave. The sacrifice offered before the Eid prayer is considered to be null and void, and the person must make another sacrifice. Animals that can be offered for the Qurbani are: camel, cow, bull, sheep and goat. Camels must not be less than five years old, cattle not less than two years old and sheep and goat not less than one year old. The animal must also be healthy and with no physical apparent defects. A sheep or a goat is for one person only and his family, whereas for the camel or the cattle it can be shared in between seven persons. It is even allowed for ten persons to share a camel. During Eid ul Adha also, a Muslim is called to remember his fellow poor brothers and sisters. He has to eat from the slaughtered animal, share with his neighbours, relatives, friends, colleagues and also with the poor. It is a tradition for the Muslim to keep one third for himself, the second third for others and the last one for the poor. In the Quran it is apparent to share the meat: “Eat from it (the sacrifice) and feed the beggar who does not ask and the beggar who asks.” Surah Al Hajj Verse 36. The Prophet said: “Eat (from the sacrifice), feed others and store and make it provision of food.” Table of Contents Introduction 1 The First Pillar of Islam – The Testimony 2 The Second Pillar of Islam – The Prayer 5 The Third Pillar of Islam – The Islamic Tax 8 The Fourth Pillar of Islam – Fasting 12 Eid ul Fitr 14 Zakaat ul Fitr 15 The Fifth Pillar of Islam – Pilgrimage 16 Eid ul Adha 20 17