What is the fourth pillar of Islam?

Question

Will a knowledgable muslim kindly detail this for me. Thank you.

Answer 1

The 4th pillar is Fasting the month of Ramadan in which muslims from sun up to sundown will abstain from food, drink, sexual contact from spouses, along with all the "small" things that we do in our daily lives without much thought...such as lying, seeing what we shouldnt see, hearing what we shouldnt hear etc. Fasting is so much more than just abstaining from those things mentioned....it means to strive for at least one month in our lives to be the best humanbeings, the best muslims that God knows we can be.

God asks us to fast so that we will remember those that do not have food....not because they are fasting by choice but because they just dont have food....we should remember them and feed them the same food that we enjoy breaking our fast with.

He asks us to abstain from all our petty arguments and backbiting and only let pure words of truth and goodness be in our talk..

He asks us to recite the Quran as much as possible, to read the whole thing before the month finishes is rewarded.....and to live by those words that we recite so often....

he asks us to remember God as if he is in the room with us..... seeing exactly what we are doing or not doing to fullfill the laws of God

I heard a lecture once in which the speaker made this statement which I thought was quite profound....he said that God asks us to stop eating, drinking and having sex from sunrise to sunset....and most muslims do this happily, without complaint, without too much personal distress....even though these are our basic requirements for life....we need food, we need water, we need sex to procreate....and yet we give it up, no questions asked......and yet when God also asks us to give up lying, stealing, immoral behavoir etc. we find these hard to give up...they are a hardship for us to go without...we complain about giving those things up and find it a grueling day indeed to have to "be good" for God.....what a shame.

Ramadan is a beautiful, peaceful time for all muslims...we strive to be the pure muslim that God taught us to be, as close to this ideal as possible...unfortuantely for most of us...it only lasts a month....

Answer 2

I understand the fourth pillar of Islam to be fasting (sawm or siyam). This fasting is during the 29 days of the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Ramadan). Food, drink and sexual intercourse are all abstained from between sunrise and sunset. The origin of this requirement is that the prophet received his first revelations that month. So fasting during Ramadan is viewed as 30 times more efficacious than at any other period. Those who observe it faithfully and in a spirit of true repentance are apparently assured of remission of sins.

Now why on earth do you want to limit this Q to Muslims? Do you think the only people who could possibly answer it correctly are Muslims? If so, I hope you will acknowledge that is not the case.

Answer 3

ramadan
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.

Answer 4

Praise be to Allaah.

Islam is based on five pillars which the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has explained for us, when he said: “Islam is built upon five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing regular prayer (salaah); paying the zakaah; Hajj (pilgrimage) and fasting Ramadaan.” (Agreed upon; narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 8)

Islam is both belief and laws, in which Allaah and His Messenger have told us what is halaal and what is haraam, morals and good manners, acts of worship and how to interact with people, rights and duties, and scenes of the resurrection. When Allaah completed this religion, He chose it to be the way of life for all of mankind until the Hour begins:

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion

[al-Maa'idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning]

These are the pillars of Islam and the principles upon which it is based:

The fourth pillar: sawm (fasting) in Ramadaan

Fasting means abstaining from things which break the fast, such as food, drink and intercourse, from sunrise until sunset, with the intention of fasting.

The relationship of patience to faith is like that of the head to the body. Allaah has enjoined upon this ummah fasting for one month of the year, in order to draw closer to Allaah, to avoid that which Allaah has forbidden, to get used to being patient, to bring the nafs (self) under control, to compete in generosity and to demonstrate co-operation and mutual compassion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”[al-Baqarah 2:183]

The month of Ramadaan is a great month, in which Allaah revealed the Qur’aan. The reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month. In it is Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months. The gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayaateen (devils) are tied up.

Allaah has made fasting the month of Ramadaan obligatory upon every sane, adult Muslim, male and female alike, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

There is a great reward with Allaah for fasting. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every action of the son of Adam is multiplied, each good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allaah said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for he gives up his desire and food for My sake.’” (Narrated by Muslim, al-Siyaam)

For more information,

http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?cref=295&ln=eng

Answer 5

you mean the five pillars:al shehada,al salah(praying),al zakat,soum ramadan(fasting)and pilgrimage to al ka'ba?

Answer 6

Maybe you should look in the Quran yourself. I thought that's what it's for.

Answer 7

the pillar in my lavatory