Testimony of Faith (Shahādat-e-Deen)
This is the first and foundational pillar of Islam. Without it, no deed will be accepted, nor is salvation in the Hereafter possible. Shahadat means: To affirm with sincerity that there is no Ilāh (one worthy of worship) except Allah, and that Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) is Allah’s special servant and final Prophet and Messenger.
Prayer (Namāz)
The second great pillar of Islam is Prayer. It has been declared the pillar of the religion; in fact, it is stated that the distinguisher between Islam and disbelief (Kufr) is prayer. Five daily prayers are obligatory (Fard) upon every sane, adult Muslim. Whoever performs it will attain the pleasure of Allah and become deserving of Paradise. And whoever abandons it will, due to Allah’s displeasure, be deemed worthy of the severest punishment of Hell.
Fasting (Roza)
The third pillar of Islam is Fasting. It is obligatory for every sane, adult Muslim who has the ability to fast, to fast for one month in the year, i.e., Ramadan. While it is a means of attaining piety (Taqwa) and success in the Hereafter, it is also, according to researchers, extremely beneficial for physical health. To intentionally miss a fast of Ramadan without a valid legal (Shar’i) excuse is a major sin (Gunah-e-Kabira).
Almsgiving (Zakāh)
The fourth pillar of Islam is Zakāh. For great objectives such as the purification of wealth, aid for the poor, elimination of miserliness, comforting Muslims, establishing mutual affection and love, and the realization of blessings, the pure Shari’ah has made it obligatory for the wealthy, upon meeting specific conditions, to give 2.5 percent of their wealth in charity (Sadaqah). Paying Zakāh is a means of attaining the pleasure of Allah and brings blessings (Barakah) to wealth, whereas not giving Zakāh causes Allah’s displeasure as well as a lack of blessings in wealth and leads to great losses.
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj. It is special and distinct from other acts of worship as it is a combination of financial and physical worship. Hajj is an important means for the forgiveness of past sins, spiritual development, and strengthening one’s relationship with Allah. Meanwhile, not performing Hajj despite it being obligatory is not only a major sin but has also been described as a cause for losing one’s faith (Iman). Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime for the wealthy upon meeting specific conditions.
(Roman Urdu) translation:
Shahādat-e-Deen (Testimony of Faith)
Yeh Islam ka pehla aur bunyadi rukun hai. Is ke baghair na koi amal qubool hoga, na hi aakhirat mein nijaat mumkin hai. Shahadat ka matlab hai: Is baat ka ikhlaas ke saath iqraar karna ke Allah ke siwa koi Ilāh (ibadat ke laiq) nahin, aur Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) Allah ke khaas banday aur aakhri Nabi aur Rasool hain.
Namāz (Prayer)
Islam ka doosra azeem rukun Namaz hai. Ise deen ka sutoon qarar diya gaya hai; balkay, yeh farmaya gaya hai ke Islam aur Kufr ke darmiyan farq karne wali cheez namaz hai. Har aqil, baaligh Musalman par paanch waqt ki namazein farz hain. Jo koi isay ada karega woh Allah ki raza hasil karega aur Jannat ka haqdaar banega. Aur jo koi isay chhor dega, woh Allah ki narazgi ki wajah se Jahannum ke sakht tareen azaab ka mustahiq azaab ka mustahiq qarar paayega.
Roza (Fasting)
Islam ka teesra rukun Roza hai. Har aqil, baaligh Musalman par jo roza rakhne ki taqat rakhta ho, saal mein ek mahina, yaani Ramadan mein, rozay rakhna farz hai. Jahan yeh taqwa aur aakhirat ki kamyabi haasil karne ka zariya hai, wahin, mutahqiqeen (researchers) ke mutabiq, yeh jismani sehat ke liye bhi intehai mufeed hai. Ramadan ka roza bila kisi Shar’i uzr ke qaza karna gunah-e-kabira (bada gunah) hai.
Zakāh (Almsgiving)
Islam ka chautha rukun Zakāh hai. Maal ki pakizgi, ghareebon ki madad, bukhl (kanjoosi) ka khatma, Musalmanon ki diljoyi, bahami ulfat o mohabbat ke qayam, aur nematon ke ehsaas jaise azeem maqasid ke liye, Shari’at-e-Mutahhara ne maaldaar logon par, makhsoos sharait poori honay par, apne maal ka 2.5 feesad hissa Sadaqah karna farz kiya hai. Zakāh ki adaaigi Allah ki raza haasil karne ka zariya aur maal mein barkat ka sabab hai, jabke Zakāh na dena Allah ki narazgi ke saath saath maal mein be-barkati aur bade nuqsanat ka sabab banta hai.
Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Islam ka paanchwan rukun Hajj hai. Yeh maali aur badani (jismaani) ibadat ka majmooa honay ki wajah se deegar ibadaat se khaas aur mumtaz hai. Hajj pichle gunahon ki maafi, roohani taraqqi, aur Allah se rishta mazboot karne ka ek ahem zariya hai. Jabke, farz honay ke bawajood Hajj na karna na sirf gunah-e-kabira hai balkay Imaan ke chhin jaane ka sabab bhi qarar diya gaya hai. Hajj maaldaar logon par makhsoos sharait poori honay ki soorat mein zindagi mein sirf ek baar farz hai.