Pillars of Submission

Cont’d from page 3

They ask you about giving: say, “The charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the or-phans, the poor, and the travel-ing alien.” Any good you do, God is fully aware. (2:215)

This is the order of distribution of Zakat. If your parents do not need help, then you may go to your relatives (siblings, etc). If they do not need help, it goes to the or-phans, the poor, and travelers. This is compulsory, and necessary for God’s redemption along with Salat (7:156).

Fasting (Seeyam)

The Quran mentions this in 2:183-187. Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, is the month of fasting. In North America, the lu-nar calendar moves through our Gregorian calendar. This means that Ramadan moves through the seasons. Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset. Fasting means to abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset. This allows us to learn self-discipline and restraint. It allows

our soul to control our body and not our physical appetites to control us. Fasting is important for our salvation, because God wants strong souls in Paradise:

O you who believe, fasting is de-creed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation. (2:183)

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

The final pillar is a pilgrimage to Mecca. This is for Muslims who can afford the trip financially and physically. The pilgrimage is a commemoration of Abraham’s submission to God.

We appointed Abraham to estab-lish the Shrine: “You shall not idolize any other god besides Me, and purify My shrine for those who visit it, those who live near it, and those who bow and prostrate. In addition, proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage…” (22:26-27)

While in Mecca, pilgrims wear plain sheets and shoes. This is to have no distinction between the rich and the poor. Then, pilgrims circumambulate the Ka’ba seven times, then walk the distance be-tween Safa and Mawra (water springs) seven times, then proceed to Mount Arafat for prayer.

Afterwards, the pilgrims go to Muzdalifah for the Night prayer.

Then, the pilgrims go to Mina for two or three days for the symbolic stoning of Satan, the commemora-tion of God, and the sacrifice of an animal. The sacrifice of the animal during Hajj is symbolic of Abra-ham’s faith. Before leaving, pil-grims circumambulate the Ka’ba seven times as a farewell.

The Quran outlines the details of Hajj. The Quran only mentions one sacred shrine. Many Muslims today have included the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina as part of the pilgrimage. This is where the Prophet’s tomb is. Ironically, in the same hadiths that the majority of Muslims follow, the Prophet condemned turning tombs into places of worship like the Jews and Christians did.

Note to all: This article does not substitute the studying of the Holy Quran. This article can be used as a guide but it is recommended that believers read, study, and contem-plate the Holy Quran (2:62, 5:69).

May God make us observers of His commandments. All praise is due to God alone, the Lord of the universe.

Michael S.