Essay On The Five Pillars Of Islam

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Islam is the second largest religion in the world, possessing over 1.6 billion followers’ worldwide. Established in the Middle East in 7th century C.E., this religion was founded on the basic principles and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Similar to most, if not all organized faiths, Muslims are required to adhere by a strict moral code and expected to fulfill a multitude of religious obligations that reflect one’s dedication to the supreme Allah. In order to satisfy all Islamic traditions, one must practice the Five Pillars of Islam, one of the most significant core beliefs embedded within the faith. The pillars provide a framework and criteria for Muslim believers, unifying all members across cultural and geographical boundaries. These specific ideals personify the duties that each individual needs to practice such as: testimony (Shahadah), prayer (Salat), charity (Zakat), fasting (Swam), and pilgrimage (Hajj). The Islam religion emphasizes the vitality of physically engaging in acts of worship, ultimately impacting and dictating the routine of a Muslim’s daily life.
The first pillar of Islam is Shahadah, meaning to “witness” or “testify”. This pillar asserts the basic and primary foundation of this faith by become a willing subservient to the one and only God, Allah. Every aspect of Islam is built upon the premise of monotheism and Shahadah reminds Muslim’s “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” (O’Callaghan, 64) In order to become a Muslim one must relinquish all personal power and profess his/her total acceptance and commitment to Islam. This pillar has a profound impact on a Muslim’s life because this declaration affirms one’s devoutness and solidarity towards his/her creator...

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...ney and righteousness through life. (O’Callaghan, 65) It is crucial that an individual travels to Mecca at least once in his/her lifetime; however, this is the only pillar that allows obligations to be forfeited for circumstances pertaining to lack of financial means and insufficient health. This pilgrimage is the ultimate manifestation of Islam faith as it is the peak of one’s spiritual and personal life transformation. An important element of this journey is the unity of the Muslim culture, cultivating a strong connection and inter-relatedness of all Islam followers. (O’Callaghan, 65) A Muslim individual prepares daily for this quest by living out devoutly the four other pillars of the Islam faith. This trip and pilgrimage to the holy land serves as the final culmination of dedication and subservience to Allah and is the epitome of Islamic religious achievement.

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