The five bases on which Islamic faith defined is called five pillars of Islam. Five pillars in Islam are Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj namely. These five pillars are foundations of Islam and each of these pillar plays its role to establish the other bricks of the Islamic religion to complete the building of Islam.

Each of the pillars has defined role and importance in Islam to establish the faith upon it, for both the society and individual. We’ll try to enlighten the role and importance of each of pillars of Islam in faith one by one, so that Muslims could regulate and implement these foundations of Islam in their life practically and could be able to gain the juice of these 5 pillars in both, this life and the life hereafter.

Let’s start with the first pillar, that is Shahadah, in which a one has to witness the truthness of Islamic basic creed i.e. that there is no God but Allah SWT and Prophet Muhammad SAWW is final Prophet and Messenger of Allah SWT. These are not mare the words, but the intellectual decision which is able to change the life ups side down. The firm believer of this statement do not find anything to implement in his/her life except Islam, nor does he/she find anything better for others except Islam, thus his/her whole life is organizes for the sake of Islamic implementation in his/her life, others and the society without any fear of result.

The second Pillar of Islam is defined as Prayer, which is Salah. Establishing prayer has several definitions. Most commonly known meaning of Salah is praying at least five times a day in Fajr, Zohr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha times, specific rak’has in a specific manner defined by Islam as obligation. The implementation of Salah on individual and the society uniquely shapes the Islamic society. The society collectively become organized and emotional towards the commandments of Allah SWT, where an individual the reminded five times a day the role of first pillar i.e. shahadah in his/her life so that one could be stick to obey Allah SWT by being reminded.

The third Pillar of Islam is Zakah, which is defined as a specific ratio of amount taken from riches of the society to distribute it in poor and needy as charity. Islam is not just a religion which only guides human how to establish the relation with the creator (Allah SWT). Islam is a way of life which also obliged mankind to feel the main of oppressed and needy and fulfill their needs and help others. Islam has nothing to do with rituals if these rituals do not create movement in one’s life to do something for others, to love other people. Therefore, Zakah (Charity) teaches Muslim to word and do something for others and resultantly the poor no more remain poor or needy.

Sawn is defined as the forth pillar in Islam. Sawn is fasting. Muslims in the month of Ramadan are bound to practice fasting from Fajr to Maghrib. It creates the ability of patience in individual, and collectively in the society. It also let the person feel how hunger feels to poor and needy who has nothing to eat. Resultantly a revolutionary personality takes birth, which has patience to face any circumstances and feelings to feel the pains of others.

The final and fifth pillar of Islam is says to be the Hajj, which is defined as Pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca and the surrounding areas are to be visited with the bundles of rituals performed. Muslim learn there how their Messenger, Prophet Muhammad SAWW start and finalize the struggle to establish the Deen (Islam) for them by visiting the historic places, and how important is to work to establish the Islam. Also, the gathering of Muslim from around the world in difference colored skins and face shapes establishes them their unity and teaches them how filthy the discrimination are which create boundaries amongst them, reminding them no matter who is rich or poor, black or white, they are all from one kind ‘Adam’ who was created by Allah SWT. Thus nothing makes them better to another except the Taqwa, which is the relationship with Allah SWT.

These were the five foundations of Islam and that’s how it is defined and has got important role in individual and society.

Last Updated: 21/7/2015