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(i) The affirmation of Oneness of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa), (ii) the establishment of Namaz, (iii) the payment of Zakath, (iv) the observance of Roza in the month of Ramzan, and (v) the performance of Hajj by those who can afford to make the pilgrimage.”

When these five items are spoken of as the ‘Pillars of Islam’ it means that these are the fundamental duties of the faith. If carried out properly these duties are capable of producing in us the ability to fulfill our other religious obligations as well. Here we have dwelt only on their importance and the intrinsic spiritual virtue that underlies them. Detailed rules and principles governing them can be learnt from reliable books on Islamic Jurisprudence or directly from Ulama.

Piety

The Piety forms part of the basic essentials of Islam. It means to observe the Divine Commandments conscientiously and scrupulously and to avoid all forbidden and wicked and shameful things, believing wholly and firmly in the Great Requital of the Last Day and fearing Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) and His wrath and punishment as a burnt child is supposed to dread the fire. In other words, it demands of us, on the one hand, to carry out, thoroughly and well, the duties prescribed by the Almighty and to fulfill zealously to the Divine law, and, on the other, to refrain strictly from doing anything that has been prohibited us by Him. It calls on us to make the fear of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) our constant companion. Both in the Quran and the Traditions a very great emphasis has been laid on piety and righteousness and it has been urged on us most forcefully and persistently to cultivate it in ourselves. Some of the relevant verses of the Quran are:

“O ye who believe! Fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.”

“So fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) as much as you can; listen and obey.”

“O ye who believe! Fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) and let every soul look to what (provisions) he has sent forth for the morrow. Yea, fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa); for Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.”

The Quranic verses, further, reveal that there is a great favor of the Lord even in this world on those who fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) and practice piety and righteousness. Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) shows special munificence to them and makes His help available to them in a thousand ways:

And for those who fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) he (ever) prepares a way out, and He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine.

The Quran also tells: that those who lead a life piety and righteousness become ‘Friends of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa)’, and, then, for them there is neither fear nor shall they ever grieve.

Behold! Verily on the Friends of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) there is no fear, nor shall they grieve, those who believe and (constantly) guard against evil; for them are Glad Tidings, in the life of the Present and the Hereafter.

Some of the wonderful boons and blessings that await the pious and the righteous in the Hereafter have