Take a little eye on religion (ISLAM)

Pillars Of Islam

Islamic society is a society based on the principles of Islam. It has a stamp of teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. The thought and actions as well as beliefs and customs of its individuals are in accordance with Islamic principles. All rules and regulations of this society are framed in the light of the teachings of Islam and its individuals lead their lives in conformity with the Islamic code of conduct. Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) founded the Islamic society in Madina. This primitive Islamic society set examples of respect for humanity, coexistence, fraternity, equality and tolerance. When Islam spread to other countries the Islamic society was broadened. Wherever Muslims went they displayed social values of a high order and as a result Islamic society was distinguished from other societies. There are the five basic Pillars of Islam.

1 - Kalima

2 - Namaz

3 - Roza

4 - Zakat

5 - Hajj

Kalima

"La ILaha ILAllaho Muhammad Dur Rasool Lul Allah" that is "None has the right to be worshiped but Allah, and Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is the Messenger of Allah". It is called a Kalima of Muslims. No one has the right to be worshiped but Allah means Allah is one. To belief on Oneness of Allah (God) is the first and fundamental principle of Islam. It means that the creator and sovereign of this universe is Allah. He has no rival. He is the creator of all objects and He is not dependent on any one. Every Muslim must acknowledge the Oneness of Allah and His supreme sovereignty and must follow His orders.

When a Muslim accepts the Oneness of Allah (God) and believes Him to be the creator and the Master of universe, he is bound to lead his life within the limits and principles prescribed by Allah and worship Him only. It also means that in the eyes of a Muslim all human beings are equal and there is no distinction based on race or colour. The dictates of Allah have been imposed on all human beings. The richer or the poor, all are equal before law. A virtuous and pious man has precedence over others before Allah.

Oneness of Allah (God) also means that only Allah is fit to be worshipped and all Muslims should observe the prayers and instructions prescribed for them.

Secondly, A Muslim must believe on the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He is the last prophet of Allah with last religion known as Islam. Every Muslim must follow his teachings called Sunnah.

Seven Important Things

There are the 7 things on which a Muslim must believe.

1 - Believe on Allah

2 - Believe on Messengers and Prophets of Allah.

3 - Believe on Angels of Allah

4 - Believe on books of Allah like Quran.

5 - Believe on day of Qayamat (when everything is destroyed)

6 - Believe on good or bad Taqdeer (Destiny)

7 - Believe on Rising after being dead

Namaz

Namaz is the first and foremost among the prayers of Muslims. Every Muslim man and women is bound to offer Namaz. It is a pillar of Islam and a source if ascension for a true believer. Namaz prevents a Muslim from doing immoral and indecent acts.

Seven Conditions Before Praying Namaz

The body has to be clean.

The clothes has to be clean

The place of praying Namaz has to be clean

Satr-e-awrat (Covering the body)

It should be the time of praying Namaz

To ace the Qibla

To make the niyat (intention) for Namaz

Steps To Make Namaz (Prayer) Better

Requisites of good Namaz suggested by Sufis are Twelve. The Sufis Islamic Scholars) write " There are twelve thousand blessings in Namaz, which can be achieved through twelve principles. These steps are as follow.

1 - Knowledge: Our Nabi Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said that an action performed without knowledge is far inferior the one done with full knowledge about it. We should therefore know: (a) which of the Islamic practices are obligatory and which are Sunnah (done by Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H)). (b) what is obligatory and what is sunnah in wazu (a method that involves washing different parts of our body) and Namaz. (c) how does Shaytan (enemy of God) cause disturbance in the proper observance of Namaz.

2 - Wazu: we must try to: (a) Clean our heart of jealousy and revenge, just as we wash other parts of our body. (b) Keep ourselves clean of sins. (c) Be neither wasteful nor miserly in the use of water.

3 - Dress: It should be: (a) Got through honest earning. (b) Clean. (c) According to Sunnah, e.g. the ankles should not be covered. (d) Simple, and should not display vanity or pride and self importance.

4 - Time: We should be: (a) Able to tell correct time at any moment. (b) Always watchful about Azan (Calling by man from Mosque for prayer). (c) Particular about the time of Namaz, lest we should be too late for it.

5 - Facing the Direction of Kabba: There are three things to be ensured in facing the direction of Kabba (Situated at Makkah, Saudi Arabia): (a) we must face the direction of Kabba physically. (b) Have the heart in union with Allah (God), for He is the direction of the Kabba of the Heart. (c) Be as attentive as a slave is before his Master.

6 - Intention: For this we need to be particular about three things: (a) We must be definite as to what Namaz we are offering. (b) Remain constantly conscious of our presence before Allah (god) Who sees us. (c) Have perfect faith that Allah (God) knows all that is in our hearts.

7 - The first Allah u Akbar by which one starts Namaz: The essential of the first Allah u Akbar by which one starts Namaz are: (a) To pronounce the words correctly. (b) To raise both hands up to the ears. This signifies that we have cut off our connection with all, except Allah (God). (c) To feel the Greatness of Allah (God) in our heart when we say Allah u Akbar.

8 - Qiyam (Standing and reciting the Quran in Namaz): While in Qayam we should: (a) Keep our gaze at the place of sajda (Particular place in ground where we put our forehead). (b) Feel in our heart that we are standing before Allah (God). (c) Not attend to anything else. Looking here and there is like a person who after reaching the presence of a king, then starts to look right and left when the king is attending to him.

9 - Recitation of the Quran: The essential of reciting the Quran are: (a) To recite the Quran with correct pronunciation. (b) To ponder on the meanings of what we recite. (c) To bind ourselves to obey what we recite.

10 - Ruku: The essential of ruku are: (a) To keep the back quite straight i.e. the whole body above the legs should be in one horizontal line. (b) To hold the knees firmly with fingers spread apart. (c) To recite subhana rabbiyal- azim with dignity and keep in mind the greatness of Allah (God).

11 - Sajda: The essential of Sajda are: (a) To place the hands flat and close to the ears. (b) To keep the elbows raised above the ground. (c) To recite Subhana rabbiyal ala with devotion.

12 - Qadah (sitting between the two sajdas): The essential of qadah are: (a) To sit upon the left foot, keeping the right one vertical. (b) To recite tashahhud with devotion, keeping the meaning in mind, for it contains greetings for the Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and dua (pray) for the Muslim brethren. (c) To make intention for salam to the angels as well as the people on the right and on the left.

As sincerity is the essence of all these points, which requires us: 1. To offer Namaz with the sole purpose of pleasing Allah (God). 2. To understand that is only through the favour of Allah (God) that we are able to offer Namaz. 3. To hope for the reward promised by Allah (God).

Roza (Fasting)

Fasting is also important prayer. Allah says in the Holy Quran "O believers, you are enjoined to keep fast, as the people before you were enjoined similarly, so that you may become pious "

Therefore it is necessary for every Muslim (man and women) to keep fast in the month of Ramadan (Holy Month). There are 30 Roza's (fast) in a year. And a man after 14 and women after 9 must take a fast.

Zakat

Zakat is also a basic principle of Islamic way of life. In the Quran and Hadith, the payment of Zakat as been made compulsory for every "Sahib-e-Nisab (a person having a money)".

Allah says: " and be steadfast in prayer,practice regular Zakat and Bow down Your heads with those who down"

The Holy prophet says " A person who believes in Allah and his prophet should pay zakat out of his goods and wealth."

The Messenger of Allah"( peace be upon Him ) said: " Islam has been built on five pillars, Testifying that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakat, making, the pilgrimage to the house of Allah, and fasting Ramadan "

( Buhkary and Muslim )

The income from Zakat is spent on the poor, the helpless and the needy. Every "Sahib-e-Nisab" person must pay 2.5% of his useless earnings as Zakat to a poor and needy persons. Zakat should be paid to following persons.

1- The poor

2- The needy people

3- Those employed to administer the funds

4- Those whose hearts has been recently reconciled to truth

5- Those in Bondage

6- Those in Debt

7- In the cause of Allah

8- The wayfarers

Haj

Haj is also an important principle of Islam and a great prayer. It is compulsory for every adult, sane and affording Muslim. On the occasion of Haj, Muslims from all over the world perform this duty at Baitullah, Arafat and other places in Saudi Arabia. Besides Haj, Jehad also has great significance. Jehad means that financial and physical sacrifice which is made for the protection and promotion of Islam.

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