Q: On which Islam was based on?

Q: On which Islam was based on?




A: Islam was based on five basic pillars:

1- Testimony there is no God but Allah and Mohammad is His
Messenger


Testimony or the Profession of Faith (in Arabic Shahada) which is the
declaration that "there is no God but Allah; Mohammad is the His
Messenger". When anyone declares Shahada, he automatically becomes a
Muslim. The text of the Shahada is "I bear witness there is no God but
Allah; and I bear witness that Mohammad is His Messenger" but the
pronunciation must be in Arabic; in Arabic its pronounced as "Ash-hado
a'lla elaha ella Allah wa ash-hado anna Mohammadan rasool Allah",
without testimony a person can't be a Muslim even if he complies with
the other four pillars.

1- Prayer

It consists of a series of formal prostrations (in the traditions of
all Prophets), genuflections, and pious statement and supplications.
The prayers are in the Arabic language and require reading from the
Koran (our Holy Book), and are offered five times a day – at dawn,
noon, afternoon, sunset and nightfall. Prayers must be attended on
time as Allah stated: (When ye pass (congregational) prayers,
celebrate Allah's praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on
your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up regular prayers:
for such prayers are Enjoined on Believers at stated times) Chapter: 4
Verse: 103 Prophet Mohammad also stressed on prayers and made it
the thin line between belief and disbelief as he said:
(The covenant between us and those [infidels, Jews, Christians,
polytheists] is prayer; whom ever leaves it he disbelieved) – narrated
by Bukhari.


2- Alms-Tithe (Zakah)


It is paid in kind in varying proportions according to the nature of
the goods. The payment is meant for the welfare of the poor and the
needy (2.5% of the capital money yearly; it was set to 2.5% because at
the time of the Prophet they used to spend 25 Dinar out of 1,000).
Zakah differs from charity; a small table explaining the differences
and similarities between both is shown below:

Alms-Tithe (Zakah) ÇáÒßÇÉ Charity (Sadaqa)ÇáÕÏÞÉ
Given annually. Given at any time.
2.5% of the capital money. No specific share; can be any amount of
money
It’s one of Islam pillars. It's not a pillar.
Given to poor and other interests. Given to poor and other interests.
It Has one famous form (money). It Has multiple forms (money, greeting
a Muslim is a Charity, removing harm is a charity).


3- Fasting the holy month of Ramadan


Fasting is done throughout the month of Ramadan. During the fast, from
dawn to sunset, complete abstention is required from food, drink and
every extraneous material taken through the mouth or nose as well as
conjugal intercourse.



4- Pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are capable of (Hajj)
Going to Mecca in the month of Dhul-Hejja to perform ceremonies and
rituals for 3 days or 2, Hajj is confined to whom are capable only.


Author,ibn Al-Sharif – Monday 17th of April 2006