A New Muslim and a True Change of Heart
Can just the uttering of verbal pledge transform one from kufr to iman, or guarantee a change of heart, thoughts or behavior? If not, how then does one’s heart get the message of Islam?
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Worship in Islam: Its Meaning and Necessity
How worshipping God is viewed in Islam? Why do we humans need prayer, fasting, etc.? Can’t I be a devoted believer without such ritual acts if I am pious and God-conscious enough?
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The Third Pillar of Islam: Compulsory Charity (Zakah)
The whole concept of wealth is considered in Islam as a gift from Allah. Allah, who provided wealth to the person, made a portion of it for the poor. So, the poor have a right over one’s wealth. Zakah reminds Muslims that everything they have belongs to their Lord. People are given their wealth as a trust from Him, and Zakah is intended to free Muslims from the love of money.
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The First Pillar of Islam: Testimony of Faith
The first part of this testimony states that Allah has the exclusive right to be worshipped inwardly and outwardly, by one’s heart and limbs. In Islamic doctrine, not only can no one be worshipped apart from Him, absolutely no one else can be worshipped along with Him. He has no partners or associates in worship. Worship, in its comprehensive sense and all its aspects, is for Him alone.
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The Second Pillar of Islam: Prayer
Having specific times each day to be close to Allah helps Muslims remain aware of the importance of their faith, and the role it plays in every part of their lives. Muslims start their day by cleaning themselves and then standing before their Lord in prayer. The prayers consist of recitations from the Qur'an in Arabic and a sequence of movements: standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting.
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The Fourth Pillar of Islam: The Fast of Ramadan
Fasting helps Muslims develop self-control, gain a better understanding of Allah’s gifts and greater compassion towards the deprived. Fasting in Islam involves abstaining from all bodily pleasures between dawn and sunset. Not only is food forbidden, but also any sexual activity. All things which are regarded as prohibited is even more so in this month, due to its sacredness.
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The Testimony of Faith
The Shahada is the Muslim profession of faith and the first of the ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam. The word shahada in Arabic means ‘testimony.’ It must be recited by every Muslim at least once in a lifetime with a full understanding of its meaning and with an assent of the heart.
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