The religion of Islam, like the three major monotheistic religions, relies on several sacred guidelines in order to be granted the status of “faithful”. In the particular case where one of these prevailing guidelines is violated, the subject will be declared impure.

Today, there are many scholars and specialists in Islamic theology who open a gap between the sacred and the interpretable since, as is the case with jurisprudence, every law is a victim of manipulation. Nevertheless, in Islam we find a certain unanimity in declaring the five basic and irrefutable pillars for professing such faith.

When was Islam founded?

It is universally recognized that Islam is the last religion that descended from the heavens to reveal its message to the also last great Prophet, Muhammad . This Semitic religion (contrary to what many people think) was created around the year 622 in Saudi Arabia, exactly in the city of Mecca.

The first premise that Islam proclaims and that anyone should recognize when studying it, is the acceptance of “Allah as the only God and Muhammad as his last messenger”. On the other hand, the Koran is the dogmatic book on which it is based, although the rest of the Jewish and Christian prophets are equally recognized, as well as the Bible and the Torah.

The 5 Unconditional Pillars of Islam

As a direct analogy with Christianity and its 10 commandments, in Islam only 5 pillars were dictated that support every base and reason for being . In the following lines we will explain in detail what they consist of.

1. The “shahada” (testimony)

The first of the pillars, as we already commented in the introduction, supposes the acceptance and submission of the existence of Allah as the only and legitimate God , thus denying polytheism, and recognizing in the same way that Muhammad is the last prophet and the one to be believed.

2. The “salat” (exercise of prayer)

In the Koran this point is emphasized with great significance, assuring that “whoever deprives himself of the salat, will be deprived of paradise” . During the beginnings of the expansion of Islam, the initial prayer consisted of praying up to 30 times approximately. God, say expert historians, reduced that number to five times to please his devout followers.

These five sentences are based on the solar schedule, which changes throughout the year. The first prayer coincides with sunrise (dawn), noon, mid-afternoon, twilight and night, always facing Mecca.

3. The “zakat” (giving alms)

It is recognized as a tax that the faithful must deposit on their private property . That is, a minimum percentage on the value of the money that one has, vehicle or any other type of property. In theory it is 3% of the total of all goods, but the will of each Muslim is at his discretion, and he can contribute more than is stipulated.

4. The “sawm” (fasting)

Surely, along with prayer, it is the second most important pillar, since it requires an exercise of sacrifice that will judge the devotion of Muslims . The month of Ramadan (sacred month) includes this commandment, which consists of fasting from water and food all day long without exception; from dawn to dusk for no less than 29 days and no more than 30.

5. The “hajj” (pilgrimage to the holy place)

The last but not least of the sacred laws that close this chapter of the 5 pillars . There are specifically three places that are sacred to Muslims: Mecca and Medina first, since it was the stone that Adam himself raised as a sacred sanctuary (the Kaaba) and the place where Islam was born. Then there is Jerusalem (Al-Quds in Arabic), where the golden-domed mosque is located since it was from there that Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Some considerations

Although on many occasions religions can be intransigent, in the case we are dealing with the 5 sacred laws of Islam, there are some exceptions to their compliance. For example, in the case of alms, those who are in a position to cover their living expenses are exempt from complying with them.

In points 4 and 5 (prayer and pilgrimage) something similar happens. If a person suffers from any kind of physical pathology or limitation, he or she is also forgiven for practicing fasting . However, he is obliged to make up for his exception by giving food to the needy. The pilgrimage must be carried out as long as resources are available.

In point 3 there is no pardon and/or excuse to avoid its practice, because even if a person has reduced mobility or other physical difficulty, the Quran advises to pray in the most comfortable way possible, sitting for example.