There are 5 pillars or practices that form the foundation of Islam. The Prophet (S.A.W) has said “Islam is founded on 5 things: Declaring that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing paryer, giving charity, making a pilgrimage to House (Kabah in Mecca) and fasting in Ramadaan.”

Let’s look at each of these pillars in turn.

The First Pillar - The Shahaadah or The Declaration Of Faith.

This is the most important pillar without which none of the others matter.

It is a simple sentence that when uttered with understanding and sincerity make one a Muslim instantly.

The words of the Shahaadah translated to English mean “There is none worthy of worship besides Allah and Muhammad (S.A.W) is the Messenger of Allah.”

There are 2 parts to the Shaadah and one needs to believe and accept both in order to be a Muslim.

The first part is about Allah and how there are no Gods except Him. This means that a Muslim does not associate any partners with Allah or worship any being other than Allah.

The second part of the Shahaadah is to believe that Muhammad (S.A.W) Is the Messenger of Allah. We have to accept that while Almighty Allah sent many messengers to guide and warn mankind, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the final messenger.

Because He (S.A.W) was the final messenger, His teachings abrogate that of previous Prophets. We cannot follow the teachings of another Prophet and claim to be Muslims.

Abu Hurayrah (R.A) narrated that Allah’s Apostle said “Whenever a slave (of Allah) says “La Ilaha Illalah” - which means ’There is none worthy of worship besides Allah’ sincerely, the doors of the skies are opened (for it to ascend) until it reaches the ’Arsh (Throne of Almighty Allah)and is readily accepted, provided he abstains from major sins.”

Uthmaan ibne Affan (R.A) narrates that Rasulullah (S.A.W) - The Messenger of Allah - said “He who dies knowing that Allah is true and that He exists, will enter Paradise.”

In another Hadith, Ali (R.A) has narrated that The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said that Almighty Allah says “Indeed I am Allah, there is none worthy of worship except Me; he who acknowledges my Oneness enters my Fortress, and he who enters My fortress is safe from My Punishment.”

In the next article we will be taking a closer look at the second pillar of Islam - Salaah (prayer)