All divine messages, which the prophets brought to their people, called to the worship of Allah alone without associating anyone in worship with Him and to reject all false deities. In fact, this is the exact meaning of the testimony of faith through which one enters the fold of Islam by pronouncing it.

Allah ﷻ commands Muslims to purify themselves inwardly from the sin of shirk as well as from diseases, such as envy, pride and hatred, of the heart and outwardly from dirt and all kinds of impurities. Once they do so, they become worthy of His love, as the Qur’an states, “Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean .”(Soorat Al-Baqarah, 2:222)

The prayer (salaat) is the very foundation of religion and a ‘link’ between a servant and his Lord, hence its exalted position as the greatest act of worship in Islam. Almighty Allah commands Muslims to observe it under all circumstances—whether they are residents or travellers, sick or in good health.

Allah ﷻ commands Muslims to observe a strict fast for one lunar month every year, namely, Ramadaan,which is the fourth pillar of Islam. As the Qur’an states, “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” (Soorat Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

Allah ﷻ has enjoined zakaat upon the faithful, making it the third pillar of Islam, and warned those who do not pay it against severe punishment. Indeed, He links brotherhood of faith with sincere repentance, offering the prayers and paying the zakaat, as the Qur’an states, “Yet if they repent and establish regular prayers and pay the zakaat, then they are your brothers in faith.” (Soorat At-Tawbah, 9:11)

The Prophet ﷺ also said, “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadaan.”(Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree:8; Saheeh Muslim: 16)

Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is an act of worship which not only involves the heart but also requires physical and financial ability and must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so once in his lifetime.

As the Qur’an states, “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to undertake it. Those who reject this [should know that] Allah has no need of anyone.” (Soorat Aal-‛Imraan, 3:97)