3.

Zakat
Zakat is the compulsory giving of a set proportion of one’s wealth to charity. It is regarded as a type of worship and
of self-purification and fosters qualities such as sacrifice and generosity.

Zakat is separate from charitable gifts given out of generosity. It is a systematic giving of 2.5% of one’s wealth each
year to benefit the poor.

Where is Zakaat mentioned in the Qur’an?

“And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].“

Quran 2:43
4. Fasting
In the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from the break of dawn until sunset. This includes
abstinence from food, drink and sexual intercourse. One must also be physically and mentally able to fast. Further,
travellers are exempt from fasting. Fasting promotes patience, discipline and increases the purity of the mind and
piety.

Where is fasting mentioned in the Qur’an?

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may
become righteous”

Qur’an 2:183
5. Performing Hajj
Pilgrimage (Hajj) is an obligation upon every able-bodied and financially capable Muslim, both male and female, to
complete the pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is completed in Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth
month of the Islamic calendar. The rites of Hajj requires Muslims to dress in white robes known as Ahram,
circumnavigate the Ka’ba and venture between the Hills of Safa and Marwa.

Where is Hajj mentioned in the Qur’an?

“And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah…”

Quran, 2:196
May Allah (SWT) make it easy for us to follow and implement these principles. Ameen.

1. Belief in Allah
The scholars of Islam have written extensively about this topic as it is the most important thing for a Muslim to
know. Belief in Allah is the foundation for which a Muslim’s faith is built upon.

It is to believe that Allah is the only Creator, Sustainer, King, and Planner of everything in existence.
the Qur’an to mankind was to confirm the books of revelation that came before it.

And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came
before it and watcher over it (determining what is true therein). So judge between them by what Allah has
revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. To each among
you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He)
may test you in what He has given you; so strive as in a race in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah; then
He will inform you about that in which you used to differ.
Qur'an - Chapter 5, Verse 48
4. Belief in the Messengers
It is upon the Muslim to believe in all the messengers that were sent. Among the messengers that were sent are
those that have been told to us, ones we know by name, and those that were not mentioned.

And [We sent] messengers about whom We have related [their stories] to you before and messengers about whom
We have not mentioned to you. And to Musa (Moses) Allah spoke directly.
Qur'an - Chapter 4, Verse 164
There are 25 messengers who have been mentioned by name in the Qur’an. They include: Adam, Idrees, Nooh
(Noah), Hood, Salih, Ibrahim (Abraham), Lut (Lot), Ismail, Ishaq (Isaac), Ya’qoob (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Shu’ayb,
Ayoob (Job), Dhu’l-Kifl, Moosa (Moses), Haroon (Aaron), Dawood (David), Sulaymaan (Solomon), Ilyaas (Elias), al-
Yasa’, Yunus (Jonah), Zakaria, Yahya, ‘Isa (Jesus) and Muhammad – blessings and peace be upon them all.

Prophets and messengers were chosen by Allah, and were sent to every nation throughout the history of mankind.

Muslims believe they were commanded to call the people to worship only one God – Allah, without associating any
partners with Him. They were also commanded to warn those who disbelieved about the punishment of Hell, and
to give glad tidings to those who believed about the reward of Paradise.

And verily, We have sent into every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): ‘Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep
away from) all false deities. Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the
straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied.
Qur'an Chapter 16, Verse 36
Some of the prophets and messengers have been given a higher status than the others. Five messengers in
particular were given the special title of the Messengers of Strong Will.

They were the best messengers of Allah sent throughout history. They are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and
Muhammad who was the best of all messengers (peace be upon them all). Every messenger before him was sent to
a specific nation. As for Muhammad (peace be upon him), he was the final Prophet and was sent to all of mankind.

Allah chose the prophets and messengers as the best of examples to their nations. Allah bestowed upon them
knowledge, understanding, guidance, miracles, protection from falling into sin, and honour.

They are those whom Allah had guided. So follow their guidance.
Qur'an - Chapter 6, Verse 90
As for Muhammad (peace be upon him) he was given more blessings than the prophets and messengers who came
before him. The biggest blessing was to be given the final scripture (Qur’an) and be the last messenger sent to
mankind.

5. Belief in the Last Day

The Day of Judgment is the day when Allah judges mankind for their deeds. Every human being will be resurrected
from their graves and will be given their book of deeds – both good and bad. They will regret the sins they
committed as well as the good deeds they had missed.

(Then) a person will know what he has sent forward and (what he has) left behind (of good or bad deeds).
Qur'an - Chapter 82, Verse 5
Believing in the Last Day includes the belief of the punishment and bliss of the grave, belief in the resurrection,
belief in the judgment of the scales which will balance your deeds, and belief in Paradise and Hell.
The concept of resurrection may seem far-fetched to some. The Qur’an addresses this issue in many of its verses.
Here is one of these passages:

6. Belief in Divine Decree (Al-Qadar)

Al-Qadar is what Allah decrees for every single creation based on what has preceded in terms of His Knowledge and
in accordance with His Wisdom. Belief in this pillar is to believe that everything that happens, good or bad,
happens only according to Allah’s divine decree.

Zaid ibn Thabit, a Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him), once said:

‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: “If Allah were to punish the inhabitants of His heavens
and of His earth, he would do so and He would not be unjust towards them. And if He were to have mercy on
them, His mercy would be better for them than their own deeds. If you had the equivalent of Mount Uhud (a
mountain near Madinah) which you spent in the cause of Allah, that would not be accepted from you until you
believed in the Divine Decree and you know that whatever has befallen you, could not have passed you by; and
whatever has passed you by, could not have befallen you; and that if you were to die believing anything other than
this, you would enter Hell.”

Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself. And We have sent
you [O Muhammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allah as Witness.
Qur'an - Chapter 4, Verse 79

Back to Chapter 2
The 5 Pillars of Islam
Take Me to Chapter 4
Story of Prophet Muhammad
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