Six Articles of Faith of every Muslim-
To believe in:
1-Allah
2-His Angels
3-His Books
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:253)
“Say ( O Muslims ), " We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim ( Abraham ), Ismâ'il ( Ishmael ), Ishâque ( Isaac ), Ya'qűb ( Jacob ), and to Al-Asbât [ the twelve sons of Ya'qűb ( Jacob ) ], and that which has been given to Műsa ( Moses ) and 'Iesa ( Jesus ), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm ). "
4-His Messengers
5-The Last Day
6-Divine pre-ordainment.
Surah Al Hadid (57:22,23)
“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfűz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allâh.
In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. And Allâh likes not prideful boasters.”
Five Pillars of Islam
1-Ash-Shahadah (The testimony)
“To bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad (Pbuh) is the messenger of Allah.”
2-As-Salat (The prayer)
Five obligatory prayers that must be performed within the prescribed time. The significance of prayer is that it is the link between the Almighty and the believer, it is believed to be the first deed for which one will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.
The prayer is a sign that distinguishes between Islam and disbelief.
3-Zakat (obligatory alms-giving)
For each of the different kinds of wealth
Livestock, gold and silver, merchandise that is meant for sale, fruits and grains.
There is a minimum amount, that if one possesses that amount ,he must give Zakat when the year ends.
The exception is for grains and fruits, because Zakat for those items is due when they grow completely and become ripe, even if a year had not passed.
The Zakat wealth is given to the deserving, and the categories are of people who deserve Zakat are listed in the following verse:
Surah At-Taubah( 9 :60)
“As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ'[] (poor), and Al-Masâkin[] (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allâh's Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise.”
4-Fasting the month of Ramadan
Fasting the month of Ramadan is to abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from the time of early morning prayer till sunset.
By fasting, a Muslim benefits spiritually and physically. One of the spiritual benefits of fasting is that one feels for those who are poor, and who spends long periods without food and drink.
Those who are ill or on a long journey have the option of making up the same number of days he could not fast during Ramadan to be fasted before the next Ramadan.
Those who are old and unable to fast have the choice of fasting or feeding a poor person for each day they are unable to fast.
The month of Ramadan is also believed to be the month the Quran was revealed. Muslims in the month of Ramadan increase recitation of the Quran and try harder to stay away from all that is vile, like lying etc.
5-Hajj (Pilgrimage to the sacred House)
It is obligatory for a Muslim to perform Hajj at least once in his lifetime, and he/she must fulfill the following-
He/She is sane
Has reached the age of puberty
Is able-financially and physically to perform the Hajj.
Reference-
Explanation of Important Lessons (For every Muslim)-Written by Abdul-Aziz bin Abdulllah bin Baz .Compiled by Muhammad bin Ali bin Ibrahim Al Arfaj
To be continued...