Within Islam, a number of foundations are mentioned on which this religion is built. With the intention of keeping the Muslim community pure and clean, there are five pillars that must be performed by Muslims. These pillars are the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger; performing prayer; giving the obligatory alms; fasting in the month of Ramadan and performing the pilgrimage. The word Islam, as is the case in many religions, does not refer to a person. Islam means total submission to Allah’s will and as such is the central tenet of Allah’s religion. One who submits to this will is called a Muslim. Muslim in itself means obedient to God or peace-loving. The name of Allah’s religion Islam was not chosen by mankind, but was chosen by Allah Himself as the name for His religion, as can be read in His last revelation to man:
,Today I have perfected your religion for you, and My favor completed to you, and I have chosen Islam for you as your religion., (Holy Quran 5:3)
The life of the Muslim has five foundations that guide the community to maintain their religion and treat creation well, justly and fairly.
Testimony of faith
The shahadah, or testimony of faith, means that a Muslim must testify that there is no god to be worshiped except Allah and that the Prophet Muhammad is his servant and messenger. This requires firm faith in the heart of the Muslim, but must also be confirmed with the tongue. Deeds done by Muslims are neither valid nor accepted unless they are done with sincerity before Allah.
The shahadah reads as follows:
Ashadoe la illaha il Allah wa ashadoe anna muhammadan Rasoolallah
(Translation: I testify that there is no god but God and testify that Muhammad is his messenger)
The prayer
Performing the daily prayers means that a Muslim worships Allah by praying for Him. One should maintain the prayers by offering them on time and properly. In the heart the Muslim feels the reward for performing the prayer, namely peace and joy. Maintaining prayer also leads to avoiding evil deeds and bad behavior. The prayer should be performed five times a day, namely before sunrise, early afternoon, afternoon, evening and night. Praying is preceded by the ritual washing in which hands, arms, face and feet are cleaned.
The obligatory alms
Obligatory alms is also called zakat in Islam. Muslims who have sufficient financial and/or material resources must donate part of these to people who are less fortunate financially or materially. Giving zakat is also a worship of Allah and it ensures that the heart is purified from wickedness and avarice.
The fasting
Once a year, the Muslim is not allowed to eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. Other needs, including sexual ones, should also be avoided. By fasting during the month of Ramadan, the Muslim worships Allah and trains his soul to avoid what he desires. In this way the Muslim strives for the pleasure of Allah. During Ramadan, many Muslims try to perform extra voluntary prayers at night to strengthen their faith in Allah. This month also pays more attention to charity, tolerance, fraternization and reflection. Fasting is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is in good (mental) health and not travelling. Fasting is not mandatory for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Performing the pilgrimage
During the pilgrimage, which is also called the Hajj, the Muslim visits the holy city of Mecca. During his visit to Mecca, the Muslim must perform various rituals with the aim of training his soul to devote time and mental effort to achieving obedience to Allah. While performing the Hajj, a number of things are prohibited, including sexual contact, cutting nails and hair, using perfume and make-up and causing disorder and quarreling. At the end of the Hajj, which lasts three days, the Muslim must sacrifice an animal. The first house of worship founded for humanity, namely the Kaba, is located in Mecca.
All other acts of religion depend on how well these pillars are maintained. The pillars form the basis of Islamic law.