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THE
BASIC ELEMENTS OF ISLAMIC FAITH
A synopsis by the late Dr. Syed Haider Hussain
Shamsi
The basic elements of Islamic Faith
are also known as the pillars of the faith. An
individual has the choice to believe in them or to
reject them based on his intelligence, observation,
comparison, education or research. They are
called the pillars as the whole weight of what
follows (after acceptance into Islam) falls on these
basic elements.
TAWHID :
Belief in Allah(swt)
One-ness of Allah(swt)
Special Attributes of Allah(swt)
NABUWAT :
Belief in Prophethood
Belief in Prophet Mohammed (sawa)
Special Attributes of the Last Prophet
IMAMATE :
Belief in Imamate
Functions of the Imam
Recognition of the Imam
Attributes of the Imam
ADL :
Belief in justice from Allah(swt), Rasul(sawa) and
Imams(as)
Practice justice-during daily life
Justice at The End of Time, and Extremity
QIYAMAT :
The End of Time
Belief in The Day of Judgment
Belief in Resuffection of the Body
The Route to Salvation
The Role of Mahdi(as)
FUNDAMENTAL OBLIGATIONS OF
A MUSLIM
A Muslim is a believer of the basic elements of the
faith. As a believer, he has to obey the rules
of the faith as his obligation. There is no
conjecture on these orders. These are firm and
uncompromising.
SALAT (Prayers):
The Obligatory Daily Prayers
Before
Dawn
Immediately after mid-day
Late
afternoon
Immediately after sun-set
Late
evening, but before mid-night
Optional Prayers :
Several
optional prayers may be offered additional to the
ritual daily prayers at the prescribed times as well
as at other non-prescribed times
The Semi-obligatory Weekly Jamaat (Congregational
Prayers)
Friday
prayers to be held in congregational setting
Led by
the priest (imam of the congregation)
Obligatory when in the catchments of the
congregation
The Semi-obligatory Annual Jamaat:
Prayer
for the Eid-ul-Fitr at the conclusion of Ramadan,
and joined by Muslims throughout the
world
Prayer at
the time of Haj (pilgrimage) for all those not
actually performing the Haj throughout the world
SAUM (Fasting):
The Obligatory Fasting:
The whole
month of Ramadhan.
Nothing
to taste, eat or drink from before day break to
sun-set.
Referain
from other leisure and pleasure giving indulgences.
Join in
congregational prayers and socialise in the
evenings.
Give alms
and feed the hungry and the poor.
HAJ (Pilgrimage):
It is
obligatory of all Muslims to perform the ritual Haj
at least once in a life time, provided the
individual can afford the cost of the trip from
one's own earned income, or be sponsored by another
individual by his or her free will. The
individual heading for Haj must have no financial or
other
debts towards anyone else in the community.
The
center of this ritual is the celebration of the
Mercy of Allah(swt) when He caused the life of the
son of Abraim(as) to be spared and substituted a
lamb for sacrifice in His Name.
ZAKAT (The Poor Tax):
It is an
Annual Obligatory percentage Tax on the Net Worth of
the Believer
Optional
Khayrat (Alms) may be given according to the
individual's financial status in the Muslim
Community
Optional
Sdaqa is a special giving for the poor irrespective
of the financial status of the individual
KHUMS:
The levy
for the sustenance and propagation of the Message.
It is an
Annual Obligatory percentage Tax on the Net Income
of the faithful
JIHAD (Struggle or Apply oneself):
Defense
of the Faith.
Defense
of the Home-land of the Faithful.
Stand up
for Truth.
Avoidance
of Oppression.
Non-participation with the Oppressor.
Denouncement of the Usurper.
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