On the authority of Abu Abd al-Rahman Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Khattab [RA], who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], say:
"Islam has beef] built upon five things - on testifying that there is no god save Allaah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger; on performing salah, on giving the zakah; on Hajj to the House; and on fasting during Ramadhan." [AI-Bukhari & Muslim]
Lessons from this Hadith
This hadith is part of the previous Hadith (2). Most Scholars say that the reason why al-Imam al-Nawawi included this hadith in his collection, even though it seems that it repeats some portions of Hadith 2, is because of the importance of the 5 pillars of Islam. This Hadith stresses the fundamental aspects of the outward submission to Allaah. This submission is based on some pillars, similar to a structure. If a person fulfils these aspects, he has laid a solid foundation for his deen as a home. The other acts of Islam, which are not mentioned in this hadith, can be taken as fine touches to complete this structure if a person fails to fulfil these obligations (building the pillars), then the entire structure of his deen/Iman may be threatened.
This depends on how much is being violated - e.g. violation of the shahadah is the most dangerous. Lessons the use of metaphors and similes this hadith uses a metaphor (i.e. the image of the structure of a building) to affirm certain important meanings. This use of metaphors "and similes can be found in many Surahs in the Quran and in many other hadiths. For example: In Surah At-Taubah (9): ayat 109, a similar metaphor is used - the structure of the Mumins deen/iman is based on a sound foundation, whereas the structure of the deen of the Munafiq is based on weak ground which may lead to the collapse of the structure, resulting in the Munafiq entering the Hellfire. Surah An-Nur (24): ayah 35, uses the metaphor of light as the light of guidance in the heart of the Muamin. A metaphor used to condemn those who fail to fulfill the amanah (i.e. religious obligations) can be found in Surah AI-Jumuah (62): ayat 5. The Bani Israel, having failed to obey Allaahs commandments in the Taurah, are described as a donkey which is burdened with heavy books on its back but doesnt understand anything from them. Scholars have said that this metaphor also applies to other nations, which fail to fulfill their amanah.
In one hadith the Prophet, [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], divided the status of his ummah into three categories: those who benefit from the Message, those who benefit partially and those who fail to benefit at all. He, used the metaphor of rain (as the Message) falling down on different types of land, producing different results. Using metaphors to convey the Message is a very important tool and it is the methodology used in the Quran and by the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him].
There are many modes of expression used in the Quran and Hadith and they are used for different purposes. E.g. Dealing with the misconceptions and false assumptions of the disbelievers, the Quran and Hadith use rational thinking. When describing Jannah and the Hellfire, the style used by the Quran and Hadith is the visual mode of expression they are described in such detail that it is like we can actually visualize Jannah or the Hellfire in front of us. These mode of expression (thinking styles) used by the Quran and Hadith should be well understood and used by Muslims today to convey the Message of Islam when doing da wah as it is the most effective way. Different styles should be used to reach/convince different people - some people are more emotional, some are more rational, etc.
First Pillar: The Shahadah
The first part of the Shahadah is testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah. There are seven conditions of the Shahadah: Knowledgeto understand what it means Certainty to have no doubt about anything confirmed in the Quran or Sunnah Acceptance. by the tongue and the heart of whatever the Shahadah implies Submission/Compliance the actual physical enactment by deeds Truthfulness to say the Shahadah sincerely, with honesty, to actually mean it Sincerity to do it solely for the sake of Allaah Love to love the Shahadah and to love its implications and requirements and what it stands for The Shahadah is not simply saying it with our tongue. We need to adhere to these conditions. If we say the Shahadah Sincerely and with honesty, we will not do anything which contradicts orviolates the Shahadah, To be concluded next edition insha Allaah.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited