What is your religion?
Our faith is Islam, the religion revealed to our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He taught us to worship only Allah (God) and to believe in and adhere to the teachings of the Quran, the Holy Book. He emphasized the importance of doing good deeds and avoiding evil.
To answer this, we need to understand the fundamentals and adhere to at least the basic requirements of Islam religion.
Pillars of Islam religion
The Pillars of Islam religion serve as the foundation upon which the faith is built. There are five key pillars, as described in the Hadith of Ibn Omar (radiyallaahu anhuma), where the Prophet ﷺ stated that “Islam religion is built upon five pillars:
- The testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger,
- Establishing prayer,
- Giving Zakaat (mandatory charity),
- Fasting during Ramadan, and
- Performing Hajj (pilgrimage).” [Saheeh Muslim and Saheeh al-Bukharee]
- The Shahadah (Testimony): This declaration affirms that only Allah is worthy of worship and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger. It requires a firm belief in the heart, which must also be articulated verbally. The term “Shahadah” (testimony) signifies that a believer’s conviction is as strong as firsthand evidence. This testimony serves as a cornerstone of faith, encompassing various beliefs. It involves acknowledging that Muhammad ﷺ is merely a messenger delivering Allah’s message and recognizing Allah’s oneness. Together, these two affirmations ensure that deeds are accepted by Allah, as they must be performed sincerely for His sake, a concept known as “Ikhlas,” and in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.
Understanding the core meaning of the testimony—that there is no god but Allah—emanates from sincere devotion to Him. Recognizing Muhammad ﷺ as His servant and Messenger arises from following the teachings of the Prophet. This profound declaration liberates the hearts and souls from servitude to creation and the influences of anyone other than the Messenger.
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Believing in and declaring the Kalimah is the first Pillar of Islam religion and represents a right of Allah. Every Muslim understands that the key to Paradise lies in the statement, “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.” However, many Muslims mistakenly believe that simply professing this statement guarantees their safety. While this declaration is indeed the key to Paradise, every key has specific ridges that must align for the door to open.
The conditions of “La ilaha illallah” are likened to the ridges of this key, which include:
- Al-`Ilm: Understanding the meaning of the Shahadah, including its negation and affirmation.
- Al-Yaqeen: Certainty that dispels any doubt.
- Al-Qubool: Acceptance that counters rejection.
- Al-Inqiad: Submission to its obligations, performed sincerely for Allah’s pleasure.
- Al-Sidq: Truthfulness that allows no space for falsehood or hypocrisy.
- Al-Ikhlaas: Sincerity that excludes polytheism (shirk).
- Al-Mahabbah: Love for the Shahadah and its meaning, along with contentment in it.
2. Establishing Prayers: This involves worshiping Allah through prayer. It is essential to perform the prayers punctually and in the best manner, as demonstrated by the Prophet ﷺ. The benefits of establishing prayers include a sense of peace and joy in the heart. Additionally, prayer encourages individuals to refrain from immoral actions and behaviors.
3. Paying Zakat: This is a form of worship where individuals with sufficient wealth or possessions fulfill their obligation to give charity. Paying the required Zakat purifies the heart from feelings of greed and helps meet the needs of the Muslim community.
4. Fasting during Ramadan: This involves worshiping Allah by abstaining from food and drink from dawn until sunset throughout the month. Fasting teaches individuals to forgo their desires in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure.
5. Performing Hajj: This is a form of worship where believers visit the Holy Kaaba to carry out the rituals associated with Hajj. It requires time and physical effort, symbolizing obedience to Allah, which is why Hajj is often regarded as a form of Jihad (struggle).
