After belief in God and the Prophet, four practices enjoy the status of pillars of
Islam - fasting, prayers, Zakat (alms-giving) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). In essence,
these are the four parts which make up the whole that is called Islam.
Fasting means not just abstaining from food and drink, but also rising above The
material would so that man may bring himself closes to God. Prayers, in spirit, is
remembrance of God. Zakat, in those ethical values which are known in Islam
responsibilities towards others. Hajj, a re-enactment of the missionary life of the
greatest preaches of truth, the Prophet Abraham, also necessarily entails Sacrifice in the
causes of God. Understanding and acceptance of these four pillars, as symbols of the
fundamental parts Of Islam, prepare one to adopt Islam fully in one’s life.
Each of these four acts of worship is combined with a particular spirit, yet is so
designed that its performance as well as fulfilling its basic purpose, may achieve other
important ends. The pillars of Islam way, in this respect, be likened to human limbs, each
having a separate function, but inseparably attached to the body.
- One significant aspect of these acts of worship is that, even if their basic ends are
not being served devotees are bound in some measure to benefit from them. For example,
even if prayers and fasting do not bring one close to God (96:19), they may at least serve
to keep worshippers away from indecency and evil (29:45). Fasting, in the words of the
Prophet, will teach them to refrain from falsehood, promise-breaking and loud talk; it
provides them with a shield against the onslaughts of the devil.
- Each acts of worship has been so designed that, as well as fulfilling its own specific
purpose, it is closely and meaningfully linked with other acts of worship. For example,
the real aim of Hajj is to prepare the pilgrim for a missionary life - that of calling
people to God. But the form it takes in the process is that of visits to the holy places
and the performance of the rites of Hajj, as a result of which the pilgrim receives a
special share in the lake of God and a heightened awareness of the life hereafter. He
returns purified after this act of worship, and is able to lead a fuller and better
religions life.
- Every act of worship is aimed, essentially, at bringing man into communion with God, in
one way or another. But the different forms of worship have been so designed that they
meet other requirements of life as well, or, at least, strengthen man’s will to
achieve other worthy goals. For example, prayers in congregation and the would wide
gathering for Hajj serve as platform for Muslim unity, similarly, fasting is beneficial
for physical health and zakat makes for a well-organized economic system.