The 5 Pillars of Islam: Purpose and Importance

The 5 pillars of Islam are essential for Muslims to

“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” - (Tirmidhi). Zakat is often referred to as charity by many people. However, there is a difference between Zakat and other philanthropic givings. This is because, Zakat is an obligation on the rich Muslims that are bound to fulfill once in every year.

Zakat is a spiritual and religious giving in Islam that has been made compulsory for the betterment of our society. Thus, rich Muslims are ordered to give Zakat support the less fortunate population in their community.

Zakat is a spiritual act of systematic giving to the poor and less fortunate people by the rich. Due to this reason often Zakat is misunderstood by many people as mere charity. However, this perception is entirely wrong.

Jewelry has always been a vital part of Women’s beautification since ages. Some women adorn light jewelry on day to day basis, and keep aside the heavy ones for occasional use. Then, there are other women who may not wear jewelry on a day to day basis but would keep them as the token of love or affection.

“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”- (Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 274)

Being a Muslim we all believe in the five pillars of Islam and Zakat is one of them. Zakat is basically an amount of money that a Muslim has to give from his wealth in the month of Ramadan. A percentage has been pre-set by Islamic rules of law i.e. 2.5% of the wealth a Muslim has to give to the financially weak people.

Islam is a religion that holds high principals for Muslims to follow and has urged them to practice humanity in every aspect of life. Islam has urged the Muslims to be empathetic and make practical attempts, to uplift those who lack the strength to cope with the hardships of life so that they can overcome the miseries and live decently.

True narratives can teach humans a lot about life, about us and about the state of others. Thus, many beautiful and thought-provoking incidents have been narrated in the Hadith, to teach humans about the spiritual significance of having deep faith in the Almighty, offering daily prayers and giving charities.

“True piety is this: to believe in God, and the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, to give off one’s substance, however, cherished, to kinsmen, and orphans, the needy, the traveler, beggars, and to ransom the slave, to perform the prayer, to pay the Zakat.” -Surah Baqarah, Ayah 177 (Qur’an 2:177).