The five pillars of Islam are the framework for a Muslim life. Islam has five primary obligations, or pillars of faith, that each Muslim must fulfill in his or her lifetime – Imaan, Salat, Zakat, Sawn, Hajj. Modern science confirms the truth of Islam as the Quran speaks about different scientific facts which have been discovered recently. There are no myths in Islam. Islam is very simple to embrace in our daily life.
Almost every Muslim is encountered with a few queries by their fellow non-Muslim friends regarding various Islamic principles, which needs to be answered. This article is just an attempt to bring you the logic behind what Muslims have been following and how these principles have been contributing to the society!
1. IMAAN – The testimony of faith.
The Qur’an says –
“Whoever fears Allah, Allah will find a way out for him from every difficulty and He will provide for him from sources that he could have never imagined”
– Qur’an 65:2-3
Imaan means believing or having faith in the Almighty. Though Muslims believe in one God (Allah), if non-Muslims tend to follow this principle in their lives, they will immensely be benefited, wanna know how? Putting this in words : Believing in the Almighty offers many benefits, it brings peace of mind and heart. Knowing in your heart that God is guiding you, will help you make large and small decisions in life, you’ll be less tempted to committing worldly sins.
2. SALAT – Prayer/Namaaz.
Muslims perform five prayers a day.
The Qur’an says –
“And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night.”
-Surah Hud (11:114)
Interestingly, for millions of people enrolled in yoga classes, the Islamic form of prayer has provided Muslims for fourteen centuries with yoga benefits. Each Namaz has a corresponding yoga position, and the positions together “activate” all seven “chakars” or energy fields in the body. Also, one is required to perform wazu (washing oneself) before every Namaz, this prevents germs from the body and promotes good health.
Takbir and Al Qiyyam together are very similar to the mountain pose in yoga, which has been found to improve posture, balance and self awareness, this position also normalizes blood pressure and breathing, providing many benefits to asthma and heart patients. The position of RUKU is very similar to forward bend position in yoga, ruku strectches the muscles of lower back, thighs, legs and allows blood to be pumped down into the upper tosro, forming a right angle allows the stomach muscles to develop and prevent flabbiness, it also tones the muscles of the stomach, abdomen and kidneys. SUJOOD facilitates extra blood supply into the brain, which is very important for a healthy brain, thighs position helps to prevent hemorrhoids or piles. JULUS is similar to the thunderbolt pose in yoga, which firms the toes, knees thighs and legs, this position further assists in speedy digestion, aids the detoxification of the liver. Throat chakra is activated by turning the head towards the right and then the left shoulder during SALAM or closing of the prayer.
Muslims recite the Qu’ran, old thoughts, feelings, fears and guilt. Virtually, all of the sounds uttered during the Namaz help in creating a balance in all affected areas of the body.
3. ZAKAT – Alms.
Every Muslim is required to donate 2.5% of his/her income to the needy. Zakat is obligatory on every earning Muslim.
The Qur’an says –
“Verily those who give Zakat, men and women, and lend to Allah a goodly loan, it shall be increased to their manifold and theirs shall be an honorable good reward (Paradise)”
– Qu’ran 57:18
Zakat helps in reducing economic disparity, inviting more people into the market. Zakat promotes simplicity and transparency, linking savings and investments and avoiding economic bubbles and bursts.
4. SAWM – Fasting.
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, bad habits, worldly comforts and sexual relations.
The Qur’an says –
“Oh, who you believe, I give you prescribe to you Fasting and maybe you will gain taqwa (peity)”
-Qur’an 2:83
Surprisingly, Ramadan fasts have several health and moral benefits. These fasts helps to boost the brain, lower cholesterol, reduce lasting appetite and help body absorb more nutrients. A fasting person gains true sympathy with those who are remain hungry. Ramadan fasts also help one ditch bad habits.
5. HAJJ – Pilgrimage.
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime on those Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it.
The Qur’an says –
“And proclaim the mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant mountain highway to perform Hajj”
-Qur’an 22:27
The benefits of Hajj (and also other pilgrimages apart from Hajj) are too long to list and sometimes unimaginably beautiful. In various pilgrimages, remembrance of God is established, people from various parts of the world come together and show their love for one another and get to know one another, demonstrating unity. The season of pilgrimage brings a great deal of good in both spiritual and worldly terms, as people benefit by coming together.
It has been proven that the Quran contains many scientific facts. There is a logic behind every principle of Islam and a science behind everything that the Quran says.
The Islamic principles should not only be performed by Muslims but also non-Muslims (in other forms, if they are not comfortable with the original principles), for they offer countless health, economic and psychological benefits.