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Hadith 3
On the authority of Abdullah, the son of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “I heard the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, “Islam has been built on five (pillars): testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer) paying the zakat (obligatory charity making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the holy house, and fasting in the month of Ramadan”. It was related by al-bukhari and Muslim.
This hadith focuses on the five pillars of Islam. The prophet (SAW) describes the foundations of islam as having been “built upon five” these foundational actions are either of the tongue, heart or otherwise.
Imagine a home above the ocean, with five pillars that teach to the ground to support the home above. That is the image that comes to mind when the prophet (SAW) talks about these five aspects upon which islam is built.
1. SHAHADAH: The declaration of faith.
The shahadah is a profound statement, which brings one into Islam. What is required to say is : “La ilaha illa allah, Muhammad rasul allah”, “I bear witness that there is not deity worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”. These few words are very powerful and sometimes we don’t realize that. We think about all the details in Islam, the sayings of the prophet (PBUH) and perhaps we forgets the Qur’an. We should not be concerned only about the legal rulings but also to imbibe the justification of “La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad rasulullah” this is really the foundation of religion. It is absolute commitment to worship nothing than Allah and to rely on Him, to follow the prophet (PBUH) as his messenger, who was sent to mankind to deliver the divine message just as other prophets before him deed.
2. Establishing Prayer
The second pillar of islam, after the declaration of faith, is the establishment of prayer. It is a terminology used for observing Salah, the verb used in Arabic implies effort, the verb is “to establish”, It is also a foundation for your relationship with Allah.
3. Paying the zakat (obligatory charity)
The third pillar of islam is foundational. Allah (SWT) describes the believers in surah Al-mu’minun as those who observe and establish the institution of zakat in the society. “And they who pay zakah”. (Quran 23:4)
4. Making pilgrimage to the house of Allah (Hajj)
Hajj is to make pilgrimage to the house of Allah, the ka’bah in makah to performed by the prophet (SAW). Hajj is one of the most beautiful human experiences and one of the greatest migrations on earth. It is absolutely incredible to experience the unity of millions of Muslims making pilgrimage to the ka’bah from every corner of the world.
5. Fasting in the month of Ramadan
“Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed upon you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain God consciousness (taqway)” . Quran 2:183.
