The Foundations of Islam 

From the very beginning, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has instilled a sense of brotherhood and faith among his Muslim and non-Muslim followers. In 622 CE, after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Medina, he received an immense amount of support. Here in Medina, Islam began to get recognized as a proper religion. His teachings were accepted in Medina. Muslims started following the spiritual and the social aspects of Islam. In 20^th century, after Prophet’s death, Islam reached Turkey. Within a century after Prophet’s death, large parts of the globe had come under the Muslim Arab Empire.

The reasons behind this quick spread were; jihad, Sufi missionary activity, and Muslim traders (who were responsible for the spread in South India).

 

Sources of Islamic Doctrine

Islamic thinking is based upon four principles; 1) Quran, 2) Sunnah, 3) Ijma, and 4) Ijtihad.

Quran provides Muslims with basic functions. Divided into 114 chapters, it answers most of the questions Muslims or non-Muslims have.

However, there are some areas where a question is not answered by Quran, here Sunnah (the sayings and actions of Prophet) are proved helpful.

When some areas are not covered by Quran or Sunnah, Ijma is used. Ijma is joined consensus. Lastly, when none of the other 3 principles are helpful on a particular area or a subject, Ijtihad, or commonly known as Qiyas, is practiced.

 

Five Pillars of Islam

Soon after the death of Prophet, Muslims singled out some anchoring points for themselves. These were called five pillars of Islam.

§  Shahadah: Quran says

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”

There are some beliefs derived from this belief; angels, the revealed Book, series of Prophets, and the Day of Judgement.

§  Prayer: the second belief consists of 5 daily prayers. Ablution is performed before praying. Quran says

“And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good – those will have the good consequence of [this] home” 

§  Zakat: the third pillar is the obligatory tax. This is the only payment Muslims are required to pay. It is paid annually after an individual’s possessions. It is collected by the state and used for the deserving people. Allah says

“And establish prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah.”

§  Fasting: it begins at daybreak and ends at sunset, with no food or drinking allowed during the day. Quran says

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness.”

§  Hajj (Pilgrimage): in the fifth pillar, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca is prescribed. A special service is held on the 7^th of Zilhajj in the sacred mosque. Allah says

“Proclaim to men the pilgrimage: they will come to thee on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path.”