Al-Arbaun (the 40 Hadith) of Imam an-Nawawi Hadith-3

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: سَمِعْت رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم يَقُولُ: ” بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَحَجِّ الْبَيْتِ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ”. [رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ] ، [وَمُسْلِمٌ].

On the authority of Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra), who said:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakat (obligatory charity), making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadhan.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Reference

: Hadith 3, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi

Brief Explanation:

This hadith was chosen by Imam an-Nawawi to be placed right after hadith Jibril ( the second hadith) to stress the importance of the elements of al-Islam mentioned in the hadith Jibril. In this hadith, however, these five elements are presented in another light as they are called the Pillars on which the building of Islam is built upon by Prophet Muhammad (saw).

The five pillars mentioned in the hadith are : Shahādah, Iqamatus salah, Giving Zakah, Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the House (Kabah), and Fasting in the month of Ramadan.

As a Muslim, these five are the foundations on which we start building our religion. The religion is not complete unless we perform these actions of submission to Allah swt and His(swt) religion Islam with sincerity. And then building on them to incorporate religion in all aspects of our life for becoming a better Muslim.

Shahadah :

The first action we must perform and hold on steadfastly to as Muslims is testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah swt and Muhammad (saw) is the messenger of Allah swt. The first part of the testimony requires utmost sincerity (ikhlas) towards Allah swt, and the second part of the testimony dictates following the Sunnah(ittibaa) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) because once we accept that Muhammad(saw) is Allah’s chosen messenger for us then everything he(saw) gave and taught was from Allah swt. Once we realize this we will follow his(saw) sunnah reflecting our submission to Allah’s command to follow and obey the prophet in our worship, morals and manners, dealings and way of life.

Iqamatus Salah ( Establishing the prayer) :

Iqatamus Salah does not mean just performing the salah, rather establishing the salah which has a broader meaning. It eludes to performing salah and all its requirements starting from wudu with the utmost perfection and ability possible. Correct knowledge of all the arkan of the salah, and its performance with humility, presence of the heart with consciousness of Allah swt are required for establishing salah. Protecting the salah by not delaying it till last minute, not being neglectful during the salah and not abandoning it under any circumstance is also part of establishing the salah. Salah should not be something which we perform as an habitual act, or a duty to just get it out of the way, it should be an act of gratitude, sincere worship and our source of spiritual connection with Allah swt. All of us struggle for khushu during salah but trying to maintain as much as possible is required.

Giving Zakah:

Zakah is an yearly payment given on excess wealth and property when certain conditions highlighted in the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (saw) are met. Zakah has been mentioned along with salah in 26 verses in the Quran, highlighting the importance given to it by Allah swt. Any person who has extra wealth or property and is eligible for Zakah should know the details of its obligation and payment.

Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the House (Kabah):

Hajj or pilgrimage to the house of Allah swt(Kabah) is obligatory once in a lifetime on those who have the financial and physical ability. Once the conditions for Hajj are met, hajj should be performed as soon as possible and not be delayed.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan:

Fasting in the month of Ramadan has been made obligatory on all Muslims of age who are able to fast. In some other hadiths mentioning the pillars of Islam, fasting in Ramadan is mentioned before Hajj. Fasting does not imply staying away from food and drinks only, but fasting from everything which is unpleasing to Allah swt. This month of fasting acts as a period of training for our souls to become submissive to Allah’s orders and commandments.

These five pillars of Islam are a test of the blessings and faculties given to us by Allah swt which are beloved to us in this world. A test of our faith, our heart, our sincerity and our outward submission and inner submission to Allah swt.

Allah swt in His(swt) mercy has given us lee way and exceptions in all of these mandatory rituals which are the foundation of Islam except Shahadah. Such as Salah can be performed sitting or lying down if you are sick, wudu can be replaced by tayammum, Fasts in Ramadan can be skipped and made up later in case of travelling or illness etc, Hajj only becomes obligatory if you have the monetary and physical resources available, same is the case with Zakah etc. But Shahadah is something which is an action of the tongue and acceptance of the heart and is obligatory for every Muslim rich or poor, strong or weak to become a Muslim and enter the folds of Islam.

Personal Note : The above is based on my understanding of the lectures on the same by Dr. Farhat Hashmi , and the commentary of Dr. Jamal Badi.