Topics/Pillars of Islam

Pillars of Islam

8 items across 3 content types

Questions (3)

beginner

Islamic Practices

What is Taraweeh prayer and why is it special in Ramadan?

Taraweeh (Arabic: تراويح — relaxation, rest between units) is the supererogatory night prayer performed exclusively in Ramadan, after Isha prayer. It is a recommended Sunnah — not obligatory but strongly recommended. Taraweeh is typically performed in congregations at mosques with the aim of completing the entire Quran over the 30 nights of Ramadan. It is among the most beloved and spiritually powerful practices of Islamic devotion — the long standing prayer, beautiful Quran recitation, and communal atmosphere of Ramadan nights make Taraweeh an experience unique in the Muslim calendar.

Taraweeh Ramadan Pillars of Islam

beginner

Islamic Practices

What is the purpose of fasting in Ramadan — why do Muslims fast?

Muslims fast in Ramadan in obedience to Allah's direct commandment in the Quran: *'O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, that you may attain taqwa.'* (Al-Baqarah 2:183). The purpose is *taqwa* — God-consciousness, piety, and moral awareness. Fasting is not punitive; it is transformative — a monthly training programme that disciplines the body, purifies the soul, cultivates gratitude, builds empathy for the hungry, and reconnects the believer with worship and Quran.

Fasting Ramadan Pillars of Islam

beginner

Islamic Practices

What is Zakat in Islam — who must pay it, how much, and why?

Zakat (Arabic: زكاة — purification, growth) is the obligatory annual wealth tax that is the Third Pillar of Islam. Every Muslim who possesses wealth above the *nisab* (minimum threshold, approximately the value of 85 grams of gold) must give 2.5% of that wealth to the eight designated categories of recipients. Zakat is not charity — it is a precisely defined divine obligation. It purifies the wealth that remains, strengthens social solidarity, and reduces inequality. It is one of the most sophisticated built-in wealth redistribution systems in any religious tradition.

Zakat Pillars of Islam Islamic Practices

Articles (1)

Article

Fasting, Taraweeh & Zakat

Shaykh Salih Al Uthaymeen

A comprehensive guide to the rulings of fasting in Ramadan, the night prayer (Taraweeh), and Zakaat — covering obligations, nullifiers, concessions, and the recipients of charity.

Hadith (4)

Hadith

Sahih Muslim 8

Sahih

أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ

An ta'bud Allaha ka'annaka tarahu, fa in lam takun tarahu fa innahu yarak

The Prophet said: 'Worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then indeed He sees you.' This is part of the famous Hadith of Jibril, which also defines Islam (submission), Iman (faith), and Ihsan (excellence).

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab

Known as the Hadith of Jibril (Gabriel), this is considered the most comprehensive single hadith in Islam. The angel Gabriel came in human form and asked the Prophet to define Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. It establishes the three dimensions of the faith: outward practice, inner belief, and spiritual excellence.

Hadith

Sahih al-Bukhari 8

Sahih

بُنِيَ الإِسْلاَمُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلاَةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ وَالْحَجِّ وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ

Buniya al-Islamu 'ala khamsin: shahadati an la ilaha illallah wa anna Muhammadan Rasulullah, wa iqamis-salah, wa ita'iz-zakah, wal-hajj, wa sawmi Ramadan

The Prophet said: 'Islam is built upon five pillars: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakaat, performing Hajj, and fasting in Ramadan.'

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

This hadith outlines the Five Pillars of Islam — the fundamental acts of worship that form the foundation of a Muslim's life. The Shahada (testimony of faith) comes first as the declaration of monotheism, followed by the four practical pillars of prayer, charity, pilgrimage, and fasting.

Hadith

Sahih al-Bukhari 528

Sahih

أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ أَنَّ نَهَرًا بِبَابِ أَحَدِكُمْ، يَغْتَسِلُ فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَمْسًا، مَا تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ يُبْقِي مِنْ دَرَنِهِ... قَالُوا لاَ يُبْقِي مِنْ دَرَنِهِ شَيْئًا. قَالَ فَذَلِكَ مِثْلُ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ، يَمْحُو اللَّهُ بِهَا الْخَطَايَا

Ara'aytum law anna nahran bibabi ahadikum, yaghtasilu fihi kulla yawmin khamsan, ma taqulu dhalika yubqi min daranihi? Qalu: La yubqi min daranihi shay'an. Qala: Fa dhalika mithlu as-salawat il-khams, yamhu Allahu biha al-khataya

The Prophet said: 'If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day, would you notice any dirt on him?' They said: 'Not a trace of dirt would be left.' The Prophet added: 'That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out evil deeds.'

Narrated by Abu Hurairah

This hadith uses a vivid, everyday metaphor to explain the spiritual function of the five daily prayers. Just as bathing in a river five times a day would leave no physical dirt on a person, the five prayers cleanse the soul of minor sins committed between them. The analogy makes the abstract concept of spiritual purification tangible and accessible. It also reveals the Prophet's teaching method: rather than issuing commands, he used rhetorical questions and images from daily life to lead his companions to understanding.

Hadith

Sahih al-Bukhari 1521

Sahih

مَنْ حَجَّ لِلَّهِ فَلَمْ يَرْفُثْ وَلَمْ يَفْسُقْ رَجَعَ كَيَوْمِ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ

Man hajja lillahi fa lam yarfuth wa lam yafsiq raja'a kayawmi waladathu ummuhu

The Prophet said: 'Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins, then he will return after Hajj free from all sins as if he were born anew.'

Narrated by Abu Hurairah

This hadith describes the Hajj pilgrimage as a complete spiritual rebirth. The phrase 'as if born anew' (literally: 'as the day his mother bore him') means a total erasure of past sins — not a metaphorical cleansing but a complete reset. The conditions are significant: the Hajj must be performed sincerely for God's sake, and the pilgrim must maintain moral discipline throughout. This promise of total renewal makes Hajj unique among the Five Pillars as a once-in-a-lifetime act of transformative power.