The Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam suggest the five duties of Muslim person to his religion. These are principles without which one cannot be a Muslim and has no meaning to his Muslim life. These five pillars are the integral part of Islam belief and Islam religion.

• Shahadah: It is about reciting the holy words in prayer. The prayer, "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah." means there is no god but only God Allah and I testify that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah. Only God Allah has the right to be worshipped, no one else. As soon as the child is able to understand he is taught to recite a prayer and at the time of death the prayer is recited. The basic idea is throughout your life you have to repeat a name of God on your lips. And those who want to convert to Islam should practice the reciting of holy words into their prayers.
• Salah: This term is used to refer to the five compulsory prayers in a day on every Muslim person. The person bows and prostrates submitting himself to the God in the prayer. The prayers are to be recited in Arabic language only. The prayers are performed in early morning, at midday, late afternoon, then at the time of sunset and then in the night. Nobody is exempted from Salah. One is allowed to perform it in certain positions under few circumstances.In many languages like Persian, Hindi, Urdu it is called "Namaz". There are no priests or intermediary person in prayer, there is direct link between God and worshiper. These five prayers are taken from Qur'an. While praying one must have face in the direction of Mecca. Women are not required to be present for the prayers, if they do, they will pray behind men.
• Zakah: The third pillar 'Zakah' has also significance, which means growth and purification. The property we accumulate is God's grace and it is our duty to donate some share of it to those who are in need because they are also children of God like us. By donating some amount of your wealth, you are purifying your property. One can donate it as much as he wants for the religious purpose also.
• Siam: The fourth pillar stands for the fasting during the month of the Ramadan. Everybody has to undergo the fast from dawn to dusk abstaining from any kind of food, drink, water, and sexual activities. By doing this they are seeking the true bond with God, spiritual satisfaction and the feeling of hungry people. There are some exemptions also. The kids are not able to fast for the whole day. The sick people, the mother of a newborn child, menstruating woman, pregnant woman are not really required to go through the fast. If possible, these people can make up the missing fasts later on.
• Hajj: Hajj is the pilgrimage. Every person who is economically, physically capable should visit Mecca at least once in a lifetime. Millions of people go to Mecca every year where people from different parts of the world come together.

Everybody follows certain simple dress code at pilgrimage so the people coming from various places do not look different and are equal. Hajj ritual include walking seven times around kabba, the process is called 'Twaf'. Touching black stone. Going seven times between hills of safa and marva. Throwing the stones, which symbolizes stoning the devil.