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FUNDAMENTAL
DOCTRINES OF ISLAM
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 Judgement
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 Jama’at (Congregational Prayers)
Friday prayers to be held in congregational
setting
Led by the priest (imam of the congregation)
Obligaory when
in the catchment of the congregation
The
Semi-obligatory Annual Jama’at:
Prayer for the Eid-ul-Fitr at the conclusion of
Ramadhan, 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):
Defence of the Faith.
Defence of the Home-land of the Faithful.
Stand up for Truth.
Avoidance of Oppression.
Non-participation with the Oppressor.
Denouncement of the Usurper.