Seeking for more insight and knowledge on the pillars of Islam?

You’ve arrived at the right place as we’ll be exploring the 5 pillars of Islam and deepening our knowledge of the role of the daily salah, drawing verses from the holy Quran.

Let’s start by briefly explaining what the pillar of Islam is.

What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice, shaping their beliefs and actions. 

The first one is Shahada (Faith), followed by Salah (Prayer), Zakat (Almsgiving), Sawm (Fasting), and Hajj (Pilgrimage).

They provide guidance, and discipline, helping individuals navigate the complexities of daily life.

While the Five Pillars are primarily derived from the Hadith (sayings and practice of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)), the Quran provides guidance and reinforcement for each pillar. 

Now it’s time to explore each of the pillars.

The 5 Pillars of Islam 

The 5 pillars of Islam emphasize the principles of faith, worship, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage as integral components of Islamic practice.

But is that all it entails?

Let’s find out together.

1. Shahada (Faith):

This is the proclamation that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger. 

“Ash-hadu an lailaha illa Allah, Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu-Allah”

Translation: “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah (there is none worthy of worship but Allah), and Muhammad is the Messanger of Allah”

This statement is considered the most sacred in Islam and considered the fundamental expression of the Islamic faith. 

Let’s look at a verse from the holy Quran before moving to the next pillar.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:163): “And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.”

2. Salah (Prayer):

Salah refers to the ritual prayers that Muslims perform five times a day, facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. 

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:238): “Guard strictly your [habit of] prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).”

These prayers are performed at specific times throughout the day: before dawn (Fajr), midday (Dhuhr), afternoon (Asr), just after sunset (Maghrib), and at nightfall (Isha). 

Salah is a means of maintaining a strong connection with Allah and there are a lot of benefits in observing one’s salah as a Muslim. You’ll get to see some of these benefits in this post. 

Let’s move together to the next pillar which is Zakat.

3. Zakat (Almsgiving):

Zakat is obligatory for every sane Muslim who owns a wealth of a certain amount known as Nisab to pay 2.5% of the wealth to those in need.

Surah Al-Ma’arij (70:24-5) “…and those in whose wealth there is a recognized right, for the needy and deprived”

Eligible Muslims pay zakat once a year and it’s considered a means of purifying one’s wealth and helping to redistribute resources to those in need.

4. Sawm (Fasting):

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183): “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”

Sawm refers to fasting during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a demonstration of self-discipline and obedience to Allah and also an opportunity for spiritual reflection and empathy for those less fortunate.

5. Hajj (Pilgrimage):

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is obligatory for every physically and financially able Muslim to undertake at least once in their lifetime. 

Surah Al-Imran (3:97): “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever can find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.”

The Hajj is considered the peak of a Muslim’s spiritual journey and it occurs annually during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. 

These Five Pillars of Islam serve as a guide for leading a righteous and purposeful life according to Islamic principles.

Surah Baqarah: 2:177 Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, despite love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

They provide a framework for Muslims to structure their lives around faith, devotion, and service to Allah and their community. 

Up next, we’ll be looking at the role of the five daily prayers (Salah) in the life of Muslims. 

The Role of the 5 Daily Salah in the Life of Muslims

The word  “salah” refers to the daily prayer that Allah made compulsory for all Muslims for several reasons which include:

1. Spiritual Connection: Salah helps Muslims to strengthen their spiritual connection with their Creator. It serves as a direct means of communication between a believer and Allah. 

2. Submission and Obedience: Observing the 5 daily salah is regarded as an essential act of worship and shows that a Muslim is obedient to Allah’s commands. 

Surah Baqarah: 2:43 And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

3. Protection from Evil: The Daily prayers serve as a shield against temptation and evil. Muslims receive strength and protection from outside distractions and negative influences by turning to Allah in prayer.

4. Comfort and Peace: Salah serves as a comfort and a source of peace during difficult times. Muslims can gain perspective on life’s hardships and find strength in their faith by turning to prayer. It is a peaceful and comforting gesture to give one’s cares and burdens to the Divine. 

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45): “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].”

5. Discipline and Structure: This consistent practice helps Muslims prioritize their spiritual well-being among the pressures of daily life by instilling discipline, timeliness, and structure in daily activities. 

6. Spiritual Purification: Salah facilitates introspection and spiritual purification. It enables Muslims to strive for spiritual development and advancement, ask for forgiveness for their transgressions, and purify their hearts. 

7. Gratitude and Thankfulness: Salah gives Muslims an opportunity to thank Allah for all of His blessings.  Praying helps believers remember how important it is to recognize and value the gifts in their lives. 

8. Preparation for the Hereafter: Salah helps Muslims be ready for the Hereafter by nourishing their spirits, bolstering their faith, and gaining blessings from Allah. It is believed that the sincerity and devotion with which one performs the prayers will be rewarded in the afterlife.

Salah is a means of maintaining a strong connection with Allah, and there are many benefits to observing one’s Salah as a Muslim. To support this daily practice, the Kaaba Azan Prayer Clock can serve as a valuable tool for Muslims.

Designed with precision, it accurately indicates the prayer times for each of the five daily prayers, aligned with the position of the Kaaba in Mecca. This innovative clock not only serves as a reminder for prayer times but also embodies the spiritual connection to the holy site, enhancing your prayer experience.

By incorporating the Kaaba Azan Prayer Clock into your daily life, you ensure that no prayer time goes unnoticed, allowing for a disciplined and fulfilling worship schedule

Overall,  the five daily prayers provide Muslims with a thorough framework for moral behavior, spiritual development, and personal growth. 

Surah Baqarah: 2:277 Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

They provide guidance, and comfort, guiding individuals in navigating the challenges of everyday life with perseverance, faith, and purpose.

Let’s look at a few more chapters from the holy Quran to help deepen our knowledge of salah:

Surah An-Nisa: 4:43 O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.

Surah An-Nisa: 4:101 And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:239): “But if you are in danger, then [say your prayers] on foot or riding; and when you are safe, then remember Allah as He has taught you what [heretofore] you did not know.”

Conclusion:

The Five Pillars of Islam are essential to you as a Muslim as they fortify your faith, enhance your spiritual relationship with Allah, and mold your everyday existence according to Islamic principles.

Surah Maidah: 5:12 And Allah had already taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We delegated from among them twelve leaders. And Allah said, “I am with you. If you establish prayer and give zakah and believe in My messengers and support them and loan Allah a goodly loan, I will surely remove from you your misdeeds and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow.

But whoever of you disbelieves after that has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.”