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THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF ISLAMIC FAITH
A synopsis by the late Dr. Syed Haider Hussain Shamsi
The basic elements of Islamic Faith are
also known as the pillars of the faith. An
individual has the choice to believe in them or to
reject them based on his intelligence, observation,
comparison, education or research. They are called
the pillars as the whole weight of what follows (after
acceptance into Islam) falls on these basic elements.
TAWHID :
Belief in Allah(swt)
One-ness of Allah(swt)
Special Attributes of Allah(swt)
NABUWAT :
Belief in Prophethood
Belief in Prophet Mohammed (sawa)
Special Attributes of the Last Prophet
IMAMATE :
Belief in Imamate
Functions of the Imam
Recognition of the Imam
Attributes of the Imam
ADL :
Belief in justice from Allah(swt), Rasul(sawa) and
Imams(as)
Practice justice-during daily life
Justice at The End of Time, and Extremity
QIYAMAT :
The End of Time
Belief in The Day of Judgment
Belief in Resuffection of the Body
The Route to Salvation
The Role of Mahdi(as)
FUNDAMENTAL OBLIGATIONS OF A
MUSLIM
A Muslim is a believer of the basic elements of the
faith. As a believer, he has to obey the rules of
the faith as his obligation. There is no
conjecture on these orders. These are firm and
uncompromising.
SALAT (Prayers):
The Obligatory Daily Prayers
Before Dawn
Immediately after mid-day
Late afternoon
Immediately after sun-set
Late evening, but before mid-night
Optional Prayers :
Several optional prayers may be
offered additional to the ritual daily prayers at the
prescribed times as well as at other non-prescribed
times
The Semi-obligatory Weekly Jamaat (Congregational
Prayers)
Friday prayers to be held in
congregational setting
Led by the priest (imam of the
congregation)
Obligatory when in the catchments of
the congregation
The Semi-obligatory Annual Jamaat:
Prayer for the Eid-ul-Fitr at the
conclusion of Ramadan, and joined by Muslims
throughout the world
Prayer at the time of Haj
(pilgrimage) for all those not actually performing the
Haj throughout the world
SAUM (Fasting):
The Obligatory Fasting:
The whole month of Ramadhan.
Nothing to taste, eat or drink from
before day break to sun-set.
Referain from other leisure and
pleasure giving indulgences.
Join in congregational prayers and
socialise in the evenings.
Give alms and feed the hungry and the
poor.
HAJ (Pilgrimage):
It is obligatory of all Muslims to
perform the ritual Haj at least once in a life time,
provided the individual can afford the cost of the trip
from one's own earned income, or be sponsored by another
individual by his or her free will. The individual
heading for Haj must have no financial or other
debts towards anyone else in the community.
The center of this ritual is the
celebration of the Mercy of Allah(swt) when He caused
the life of the son of Abraim(as) to be spared and
substituted a lamb for sacrifice in His Name.
ZAKAT (The Poor Tax):
It is an Annual Obligatory percentage
Tax on the Net Worth of the Believer
Optional Khayrat (Alms) may be given
according to the individual's financial status in the
Muslim Community
Optional Sdaqa is a special giving
for the poor irrespective of the financial status of the
individual
KHUMS:
The levy for the sustenance and
propagation of the Message.
It is an Annual Obligatory percentage
Tax on the Net Income of the faithful
JIHAD (Struggle or Apply oneself):
Defense of the Faith.
Defense of the Home-land of the
Faithful.
Stand up for Truth.
Avoidance of Oppression.
Non-participation with the Oppressor.
Denouncement of the Usurper.
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