Role of Practices in Islam

Islam is a religion which has been chosen by Allah Almighty for Muslims. Basically
religion is the passage to be followed by humans. Islam also provides a passage for his
followers called Muslims, for this purpose Allah Almighty sent prophets. Prophet is the
one who delivers the message of Allah Almighty to the people. The last prophet sent by
the Allah Almighty was Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). He asked Muslims to follow some
basics practices of Islam ordered by Allah Almighty. These practices play vital role in the
lives of Muslims. They are as following

1. Tauhid
2. Salat (prayers)
3. Fasting
4. Zakat
5. Hajj

TAUHID

Tauhid is the first pillar of the Islam. Belief in oneness of Allah is the fundamental
teaching of Islam. It is foundation of Islam termed as “Tauhid”. The confession oaf the
faith of a Muslims is in the pronouncement of Kalama Shahdat, which is the first article
in faith. Tauhid has three aspects

1. Tauhid-Ar-Rabubiyyah (oneness of the lordship of Allah)

2. Tauhid-Al-Auluhiyah (Oneness in worship of Allah)
3. Tauhid Al-Asma-Was-Sifat (oneness in name and qualities of Allah)

The Belief in tauhid makes a man, virtuous and upright and obedient to His Lord. He
surrenders himself completely to the will of Allah Almighty. A person becomes humble
modest and never feel pride on anything that he had as he know that Allah is owner of
everything. It produces high degree of self respect and confidence in a Muslim as
everyone is dependent on Allah Almighty This belief stimulate the idea of unity of
mankind the equality of human beings, the true democracy and the real freedom in the
world. Our sympathy does not remain confine to our family only but it includes all the
Muslims as they all are the created by Allah. Muslims feel braves as they know the most
powerful is Allah Almighty and they believe in his oneness and he will never leave us
alone. It also creates the attitude of peace and contentment in man.

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SALAT
Salat is the second pillar of Islam. It was the first worship that was made obligatory by
Allah. It was made obligatory during ‘Meraj’ in the 10th year of Prophet hood. Importance
of salat can be judge by a fact that Salat is the first act that a person will be held
accountable for.
Salat plays very important role in lives of a person. It brings punctuality and regularity in
our lives a Muslim has to offer prayers five times daily, at the appointed times which
develops a habit of being punctual. Salat makes a person, clean and pure, morally and
spiritually. When a person prays regularly, he has to keep his body clean as he performs
ablution before every prayer. Prayers instill self-discipline in an individual prayers
become obligatory on every adult Muslim under all circumstances, if a person is sick then
he can offer his prayers while sitting. If he cannot do this, then he can do this while lying
down. If water is not available, then he has to perform dry ablution. If correct Qibla
cannot be determined, then he can pray in any possible direction of Qibla. This strick
regularity and discipline strengthens the personality of the Muslims. It also develops
piety and fear of Allah in a person and restrains a person from evils. Prayers develop in a
man Qualities such as patience, endurance, contentment, and preservance. These qualities
are a source of strength in face of hardships. So salat is an important aspect in the life of a
Muslim and Islam

FASTING
Fasting is the third pillar of Islam. It became obligatory in the second year of Hijra with a
following verse:
“Fasting has prescribed for you as it was prescribe for those before you so that you may
restrains from sins”
Fasting also plays an important role in our life. It helps in building up the moral character
an it teaches us to have self-control and self-restrain. When Muslims fast and experience
hunger and thirst they realize the suffering of the poor they all are brought close to each
other through fasting. It renews their brotherly ties, and awakens sympathies for the poor
in the heart of rich. Besides moral benefits it also benefits physically abstention from
food and drink for full month does a lot good to a person’s health as it gives rest to
stomach the whole system is cleansed of undesirable material and the body get rid of fat
cholesterol and other toxic matters. Fasting brings a man closer to Allah Almighty and
removes all barriers between him and His Lord so fasting plays a important spiritual role
in our lives.

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ZAKAT
Zakat is the fourth pillar of Islam it became obligatory in the second year of the Hijra.
Every muslim who possesses property equal to or exceeding a laid down minimum laid
down has to give away at the prescribed rate a portion of it to deserving poor and needy
persons.
It plays an important role. The payment purifies the heart of the giver, of love of wealth,
greed, miserliness and inculcates in him the love of Allah. It is a blessing for the giver
and blessing for a receiver. The wealth of the person is multiplied. Zakat expiate the sins
of a person. It leads to equal distribution of wealth in the society and prevent
accumulation of wealth in a few hands the rich do not get richer while the poor do not get
poorer and it establishes just and right between the two extremes. It also develops good
will, brotherhood and equality in the society. The needs of the poor are satisfied and they
are thankful to their rich brethren. Zakat stimulates investment and discourages hoarding
in the community so zakat is important aspect in our live keep the wealth balanced in the
society.

HAJJ
Hajj is one of the five pillars in Islam. It became obligatory ninth year of the Hijri. It is an
act of ibadat like prayer and fasting and a religious duty that’s obligatory once in a
lifetime for all those Muslims who can afford it. Hajj plays a significant role. It
demonstrates equality and Muslims brotherhood. People of all nationalities, all colours,
races and ranks from all over the world assemble at one place and interact for quite
sometime. It also demonstrates sense of unity as all the hajji’s wearing same two white
sheets without any distinction between high and low level. It benefits us politically and
economically in a way that the Muslims assemble every year on this pilgrimage which
provides them a chance of agreeing in many topics of common interest. They can discuss
and formulate a common policy to be followed by all Muslims countries. People can
discuss their economic problem, views on economic issues. Hajj also teaches us some
moral values also like not to hurt any one by pushing keeping yourself in a discipline
during hajj which helps us very much in our daily life also. So hajj is also an important
practice which has to be performed once in a life if possible.

Reference
Book: Islam beliefs and Practices
Author: Yasmin Malik