Basic Pillars of Islam

What is Islam?

The term Islam derives from the three-letter Arabic root s-l-m, which generates words with interrelated meanings, including “surrender”, “submission”, “commitment” and “peace.” Commonly, Islam refers to the monotheistic religion revealed to Muhammad b. (son of) Abdullah in 610 CE. The name Islam was instituted by the Qur’an, the sacred scripture revealed to Muhammad. For believers, Islam is not a new religion. Rather, it represents the last reiteration of the primordial message of God’s Oneness, a theme found in earlier monotheistic religious traditions. And in this meaning Islam is the religion of all the Prophets with which God sent them for the guidance of His servants.

Though Islam can be described as a religion, it is viewed by its adherents in much broader terms. Beyond belief in specific doctrines and performance of important ritual acts, Islam is practiced as a complete and natural way of life, designed to bring God into the center of one’s consciousness, and thus one’s life. Essentially, by definition Islam is a worldview focused on belief in the One God and commitment to His commandments.

Islam is the way of Universal Peace and Harmony. If we look around, we see that everything including the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, the high hills and the mighty oceans are obeying a law (the law of Allah) we find no disorder or chaos in them. Have we ever noticed any violation of the law of Allah by these objects of nature? Of course not. Then, why? Simply, because they are made to obey Allah. They have no choice but to obey. Allah has given us the knowledge and will to choose between right and wrong. He has also sent messengers and books for our guidance.

Therefore we can summarize Islam as;

a) Islam is an Arabic word which means submission and obedience.

b) Islam is a complete way of life. It is the guidance provided by Allah, the Creator of the universe for all mankind.

c) Islam is the way of universal peace and harmony.

d) Islam is the message of all the prophets and messengers from Adam (peace be upon him) to Muhammad (pbuh). They asked people to obey Allah and none other. This message sent through prophets was completed at the time of Muhammad (pbuh) who was the last of the chain of prophethood.

The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) transmitted Islam from Allah to Human-Being by Qur’an.

e) Islam is the Primordial Religion that based on Divine Unity.

f) Islam is the Universal Religion of brotherhood and solidarity and the Religion of an ideal Social Order.

g) Islam is way to perfection for man from past to future. It shows us the best way to conduct our private, social, political, economic, moral and spiritual affairs of life.

Why does Allah not force us to obey Him?

He does not force us to obey Him, because Allah has given us, the knowledge and will to obey or disobey Him.

Why is this so?

It is because He wants to test us. After this test there will be a day of reward and punishment. This is the Day of Judgement. Those of who have passed the test will be rewarded with permanent happiness and peace in Paradise and those who have failed will suffer a terrible punishment in Hell. We can get this reward and escape punishment by obeying and worshipping Allah.

We already know that there is peace and harmony among other objects of nature. Because those things never disobey Allah. So if we follow the guidance given to us through prophets and messengers, we are sure to have peace in the world we live in.

What is the meaning of Ibadah?

The Qur’anic word for worship is Ibadah. Everything we do comes under Ibadah, if we do them for Allah’s sake. Our purpose in life is to please Allah through Ibadah. Ibadah is the way to reach success and happiness in the life after death.

Worship means total obedience to Allah’s commands. However, ibadah is not confined to these known deeds. Every good and useful thing has to be considered ibadah if it has any use for the muslim individuals and muslim community.

Every action performed in obedience to God’s guidance or in order to please Him is considered an act of ibadah (worship) in Islam. Thus, helping someone with their homework, greeting a stranger, or even hugging one’s spouse are at the same time acts of worship which earn spiritual reward.

However, it is the specific acts of worship commonly termed the “Five Pillars of Islam” that provide the framework for the Muslim’s spiritual life. The observance of these duties is regulated by individual conscience, and consequently, in real life, a spectrum of practice exists among Muslims.

The regular performance of acts of worship, such as salah (formal worship) and sawm (fasting), is essential for acknowledging God’s authority in one’s life and for spiritual growth. While these acts involve specific practices and statements, Islam does not teach blind, ritualistic imitation. Muslims believe that God does not want from His servants absent-minded movement of the tongue and body, rather He wants attention of the heart and sincere actions. Consequently, the intention that one has before fulfilling a particular obligation, counts a great deal. Indeed, a hadith states that “Actions are judged according to their intentions.”

Interestingly, the Arabic word ibadah means “worship” as well as “service.” Thus, to worship God means not only to love and exalt Him but also to serve Him by living in accord with His guidance in every aspect of life, to enjoin goodness among people and forbid wrong-doing and oppression, to practice charity and justice, and to serve Him by serving humanity.

“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last Day and the Angels and the Scripture and the Messengers; to spend of your wealth, out of love for him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, and for those who ask, and for freeing slaves; to observe prayer and give charity; to fulfill the contracts that you have made, to be firm and patient in pain and in adversity, and time of stress: such are those who are sincere. Such are the God-conscious.” (Baqara 2: 177)

What is the meaning of Ordering Good (Ma’ruf) and Forbidding Evil (Munkar)?

All Human-Beings by their very nature like good things and dislike bad ones. So we can say that human nature likes the right and dislikes the wrong. Right is Ma’ruf and wrong is Munkar in the language of the Qur’an.

The human being was created with an inbuilt moral sense which allows him to recognize what is true and good from what is false and evil. “Good” may be defined as whatever pleases God and therefore beneficial to man. “Evil” may be defined as whatever incurs the anger of God and is therefore harmful to man. Althoug God created mankind in a naturally good state, He also created him with the capacity or power to do both good and evil. He gave him the freedom to choose between doing good and doing evil. Evil comes from the intentions and actions of man. Evil does not come from God and God is not responsible for evil.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised. But he fashioned him in due proportion and breathed into him something of his spirit. And he gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding) little thanks do you give.” (Sajdah 32: 8-9)

“Now let man but think from what he is created. He is created from a drop emitted proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs. Surely He is able to bring him back (to life).” (At-Tariq 86: 8)

“Those whom Allah (in His plan) wills to guide, He opens their breast to Islam. Those whom He wills to leave straying He makes their breast close....” (An’am 6: 125)

“Their intention is to extinguish Allah’s light (by blowing) with their mouths but Allah will complete (the revelation of) His Light even though the unbelievers may detest (it).” (Saff 61: 8)