The Five Pillars of Islam (Submission)
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The following facets of submission are commonly referred to as the five pillars of Islam:
1. The Declaration of Faith (Sha’hada)
The declaration of faith or Sha’hada, is simply asserting that there is only One God. We say: “I bear witness that there is no god but God. He is the only God and He has no partners.” This has been distorted by Muslims adding the phrase: “and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” God tells us clearly not to mention any names with His, and He tells us not to make distinctions among the messengers. So when we declare our faith, we must be careful to devote it absolutely to God alone.
[40:65] He is the Living; there is no god except He. You shall worship Him alone, devoting your religion absolutely to Him alone. Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
2. The Contact Prayers (Salat)
We do five daily prayers called the Contact Prayers (Salat). These are specific prayers assigned to specific time periods throughout the day. They cause us to pull away from the distractions of this world and put our focus back on God. This is why God spaced them all through the day. You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of God (through Salat) is the most important objective. God knows everything you do. [29:45]
3. The Obligatory Charity (Zakat)
God commanded us to be as charitable as we can without being excessive. To help overcome our natural stinginess, He decreed zakat, or obligatory charity, 2 ½ percent of net income. This is to be given as soon as we receive income, and it’s to be given to those in need, starting with our own family. If the world followed this system, with everyone helping out his or her relatives, there would be no poverty. In addition to zakat, we are encouraged to help others as much as we can.
[2:272] ...Any charity you give is for your own good. Any charity you give shall be for the sake of GOD. Any charity you give will be repaid to you, without the least injustice.
4. Fasting (Ramadan)
We fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. From dawn until sunset, Muslims don’t eat or drink anything. Once the sun sets and night begins, we break the fast with grateful appreciation of God’s gifts to us. This truly helps us to think about God at all times of the day, and also to think about how fortunate we are to have the variety and abundance of food and other blessings.
[2:183-184] O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation. Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
We are commanded to go on Hajj, or Pilgrimage, once during our lifetime, if we can afford it. This involves traveling to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to visit the Sacred Mosque built by Abraham and Ishmail. There are specific rituals to be performed there, but the most important thing is the commemoration of God.
The Four Months of Hajj
(Zul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, & Rabi I)
[2:197] Hajj shall be observed in the specified months.* Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout Hajj. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O you who possess intelligence.
Belief in the Day of Judgment
Other than these five pillars, an important aspect of a submitter's belief permeates all activities of day to day life - the awareness of the hereafter. Believing in the last day, the day of judgment is a requirement for one's success. To firmly know that we would be held accountable for all our actions throughout our lifespan in this world and that we would be judged accordingly gives a believer the sense of responsiblity. The fact that the fate of our eternal life lies in the judgment issued by God on the last day should be enough for any man with even the slightest of intelligence to prostrate and fully submit.
[38:46] We bestowed upon them a great blessing: awareness of the Hereafter.
[39:9] Is it not better to be one of those who meditate in the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
Being a Muslim is so much more than these "five pillars." It is constant awareness of God in our life, a constant striving to be more righteous, a constant struggle to kill our ego and submit totally to God, and constant remembrance to seek forgiveness for all the little and big sins we keep committing. It is truly a way of life.