The Necessity Of Knowledge About Five Pillars

Islam, the submission to the will of God, requires on all its followers to dedicate their lives to the desires and the directives of God. The five pillars of Islam are the foundation on which Muslims build their relationship with God. Although some of the pillars need to be performed every day; once a year, or only once in a lifetime, but they affect Muslims’ lives every single day. Therefore, Muslims should know the requirements, limitations and the performance criteria of these pillars.

There is a universal acknowledgement, free of controversy, about the validity of the five pillars of Islam among various sects. ‘Shahadaa’ is the first pillar, meaning declaration and bearing witness in the unity and oneness of God and Muhammad being His prophet. The second pillar is ‘Salat’ the daily prayers, which the followers are required to perform five times a day. The third pillar is ‘Sawm’, fasting from dawn to dusk in the holy month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The fourth pillar is ‘Zakat’, which is alms giving to purify your wealth by sharing part of your worldly wealth to the less fortunate and needy in the society of believers. The fifth pillar is ‘Hajj’ pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslims are directed to perform at least once in their lifetime.

The five pillars have come into force through a combination of Quran and Hadith. Certain parts are clearly outlined in various parts of Quran and others are through authentic hadiths, likewise, the performance manners of these pillars are either derived from the Quran or through the practices of the Prophet (PBUH) and/or subsequent interpretation of recognized scholars.

The ‘Hadith of Gabriel’ is a fundamental testimony of the description of the five pillars. The hadith is considered authentic both by Bukhari and Muslim, narrated by Umar as such:

‘While we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless with him and grant him peace, one day a man came up to us whose clothes were extremely white, whose hair was extremely black, upon whom traces of traveling could not be seen, and whom none of us knew, who sat down knee-to-knee with the Prophet, may Allah bless with him and grant him peace. [The man] said”

‘Muhammad, tell me about Islam.’ [Muhammad, may Allah bless with him and grant him peace,] said, ‘Islam is that you witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and you establish the prayer, and you give the Zakat, and you fast Ramadan, and you perform the hajj to the House if you are able.’ He said, ‘You have told the truth,’ and we were amazed at him asking him and [then] telling him that he told the truth.’

‘He said, ‘Tell me about Iman.’ He said, ‘That you affirm Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and that you affirm the Decree [predestination], the good of it and the bad of it.’ He said, ‘You have told the truth.’ He said, ‘Tell me about Ihsan.’ He said, ‘That you worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you don’t see Him then truly He sees you.’ He said, ‘Tell me about the Hour.’ He said, ‘The one asked about it knows no more than the one asking.’ He said, ‘Then tell me about its signs.’ He said, ‘That the female slave should give birth to her mistress, and you see poor, naked, barefoot shepherds of sheep and goats competing in making tall buildings.’ He went away, and I remained some time. Then he asked, ‘Umar, do you know who the questioner was?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘He was Jibril who came to you to teach you your religion’.’ [1]

‘Fiqh’, jurisprudence, in Islam has two meanings, one literal and another figurative. In its literal sense, it translates as knowledge about something and understanding it. In Quran it conveys a deep knowledge:

“They have hearts wherewith they understand not” 7.179

In its figurative sense, it means knowledge about the Islamic laws and their interpretation, derived rulings using the source; therefore, going beyond the apparent meaning.

“Fiqh is defined as knowledge of the practical rules of Islam which are derived from the detailed evidence in the sources. The rules of fiqh are thus concerned with the manifest aspects of individual conduct. The practicalities of conduct are evaluated on a scale of five values; obligatory, recommended, permissible, reprehensible and forbidden. Otherwise, the definition of fiqh, also implies that the deduction of the rules of fiqh from the Quran and Sunnah is through direct contact with these sources. The ability to utilize the source materials of the Quran therefore necessitates a knowledge of Arabic and a certain degree of insight and erudition that would preclude the work of an imitator, or one who reproduces the rules without understanding their implications. A jurist (faqih) is one who fulfils the requirements of this definition.” [2]

How to worship and perform are determined in the Quran and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). General rules are mentioned in the Quran, and further explained in the prophet’s hadiths and his practice, Sunnah. Muslims are, therefore, expected to perform and follow the practices of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Hence, Muslims have learned these rules –fiqh- from generation to generation, and practice them in their lives. Furthermore the Quran and hadith encourage Muslims to learn how they should perform the tenants of Islam. The Quran says; “And the believers should not go forth to war all together. But why should not a party from every community of them mobilize to acquire profound, correct knowledge and understanding of the religion, and warn their people when they return to them so that they may beware (of wrongful attitudes).” [9,122]. İn a hadith prophet (pbuh) said; “There is no better worship of the world than to learn fiqh; It is more difficult against Satan than a juristical thousand abid” [3]

We mustn’t expect that every Muslim to be a faqih, however, learning these pillars and knowing rules are every Muslims’ obligations. At least, they ought to know what are obligatory, recommended, permissible, reprehensible and forbidden. Because, validity of performing pillars of Islam depends on performing them correctly. If a Muslim does not recognize differences between obligatory and recommended, or forbidden and reprehensible, he cannot his perform his ordained obligations appropraitely. Therefore his first responsibility is to learn rules of pillars.

The first pillar of Islam is Shahada, the testimony of faith is saying with conviction, اشهد ان لا اله الا الله و اشهد ان محمدا عبده و رسوله , means ; I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant and Messenger of Allah. This testimony means a definite knowledge and belief in tongue. Although these two principles are not together in the Qur’an, but the first principle is included in thirty-seven verses with different versions. The second principle, “Muhammad (pbuh) is servant and messenger of Allah” is not in the Quran as such particular version. There are three verses in the Quran about the second part; the first is chapter The Victory (Al Fath), “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” (48.29). The second is chapter The Family of Imran (Ali ‘Imran), “Muhammad is not but a messenger.” (3.144). The last verse is in chapter The Combined Forces (Al Ahzab)“Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets.” (33.40). People who convert to Islam, ought to say these words. Furthermore, all of Muslims ought to recognise what is the meaning and spirit of these principles, then dedicate their lives according to requirements of these principles.

The second pillar of Islam is prayer, Salat. Salat is most significant pillar of all. Because, it is an obligatory pillar on all of the Muslims that are sane and have reached maturity. There is no difference between male and female, poor and rich, young and old, from the obligation of salat. Furthermore salat is a daily devotional worship. Therefore, salat is the most comprehensive pillar due to be performed by every Muslim everyday. The salat has a direct relation between worshipper and Allah. The significance of ‘Salat’ is evident in Quran wherein it has been mentioned many times. The word of “salat” and some synonyms, such as “zikr”, “tasbih”, place in the Quran more than a hundred places. Some of them; Al Ankabut-45, Al Baqarah-238, Al Tawbah-5, Al Isra-79. İn chapter The Spider (Al Ankabut), Quran says; “Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” (29.45). There are a lot of hadith about salat, the most known is; “The salat is the pillar of the religion.” [4]

In the Qur’an, the hadiths and the practices of Muslims, we see that salat is the most important pillar. For this reason, a Muslim ought to know all the rules related to this worship that he must do every day. Because salat include many rules such as obligatory, recommended, permissible, reprehensible and forbidden, even times of salat, preparing to salat and performing individual or with congregation have many rules. If a Muslim does not know in which condition his salat is valid or invalid, he cannot connect spiritually with Allah which is the essence of worship. For instance; one Muslim laughed while praying and the other person who praying beside him, heard his chuckle. The result is that his salat broken at that time, even his wudu (ablution) is broken. If that Muslim does not know this rule, he may continue his salat but his salat is invalid.

The third pillar of Islam is ‘Sawm’ fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse. Although there are many benefits to health; it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification. A Muslim can truly empathize with the hungry, by cutting himself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, as well as growth in his spiritual life. There is a verse for obligation of sawm; “The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (2.185). There is a hadith about sawm; When Ramadan, the month of fasting, comes, the gates of Paradise are opened; the gates of Hell are shut and all devils are chained. [5]

The fasting in Ramadan includes certain rules that Muslims ought to know. Such as, when fasting starts and finishes, which conditions break it and which do not break, which manners are permissible or reprehensible etc. Muslims ought to know these rules to make their fasting valid. For example; one Muslim ate something forgetting while he is fasting. Although his fasting does not break but he thinks that his fasting may have broken, and he continues eating. While the first eating does not break his fasting but continuing to eat breaks his fasting. The reason of this that Muslim does not know this rule. Therefore, we say again; Muslims ought to know rules of pillars of Islam.

The fourth pillar of Islam is alms giving, zakat (prufication). All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The original meaning of the word zakat is both ‘purification’ and ‘growth.’ Giving zakat means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.’ The percentage which is due on gold, silver, and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for one lunar year is two and a half percent. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. There is a verse about zakat; “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [ Allah ‘s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (9.103). Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said; “ Allah has enjoined upon rich Muslims a due to be taken from their properties corresponding to the needs of the poor among them. The poor will never suffer from starvation or lack of clothes unless the rich neglect their duty. If they do, Allah will surely hold them accountable and punish them severely.” [6]

There are specific rules for zakat like other pillars. Such as; Who is obliged to give zakat, conditions that validate zakat, what are the zakat items and who is entitled to receive zakat etc. Muslims must know answers of these questions otherwise their zakat can be invalid. For example; one Muslim gave his zakat to a foundation. Then, this foundation used his zakat to build a mosque or hospital. İn this condition, his zakat was invalid. Because zakat cannot be used to build even mosque. It is only given from hand to hand.

The last pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage to Makkah, Hajj. The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. There is a verse about obligation of Hajj; “In it 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.” (3.97). There is a hadith about it; “Islam is built on five pillars; testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying zakat, hajj, and fasting during Ramadan”. [7]

Every years millions of Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah for hajj. İt is a more difficult performance with millions of people. So Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said; “ the hajj is Arafat” [8]. Arafat is a hill where millions of Muslim stay together at the sametime. There are many rules in performing hajj. Hajj is important and only once in the life. Therefore Muslims should learn what rules are mandatory in Hajj, before pilgrimage. İt is not like praying or fasting, if one Muslim makes a mistake in his pray or fasting and his action becomes invalid; he can reperform it immediately. But in the Hajj, if Muslims make mistakes and do not relaize those mistakes, they will not have any chance for redoing their hajj at the same time.

In conclusion; people who believe Islam, ought to perform pillars of Islam; shahadah, salat, sawm, zakat and hajj. Furthermore, knowing rules of these pillars is a significant necessity for every Muslim to validate their performance. If they do not know certain and all rules, learning these rules is an obligation on every Muslims. Knowledge about how to worship for and to Allah, is not only essential but also a spiritual awakening for every Muslim.

References

1. Muslim, 8
2. Kamali, M. H. (2007) Shariah Law
3. Tirmizi, Knowledge, 19 (2083)
4. Acluni, Kashfu’l Hafa, 2,31
5. Bukhari, Sawm, 5
6. Bukhari, Zakat, 8
7. Bukhari, Iman, 1
8. Tirmizi, Tafsir,3