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Five Simple Pillars, Five Simple Steps*

There go the seconds, the minutes, the hours to the end of the day,
Wandering here and there, trying to find your way.
What is it you look for? What do you desire?
A life of ignorance or protection from The Fire?

We’re not going to force you, hold you against the wall,
But we will be there, should you stumble and fall.
Together we’d be one, the greatest family,
Hand in hand, we’d embark on this, the supreme journey.

First the biggest step, the words La-ilaahaa-ilallah,
‘There is no God but The One, Allah’.
Second, Salah, the prayer, get your head down to the ground,
Communicate with The Almighty, without the slightest sound.

Then when it comes to that special time of year,
It’s time to put your body to the test, see what you can bear.
Number three, Ramadhaan, the month of fasts,
Enjoy the blessings for as long as it lasts.

Now look around you, those starving near and far,
Share with them a bit of wealth, we call this Zakah.
It isn’t a lot, and your wealth, it will not diminish, +
But the reward is infinite, when this temporary life does finish.

Finally, we come to the pilgrimage, for those who are able,
We gather in white sheets, equal with no need for a label.
Be you black, red or white, a king or a pauper, 
The reward is by no means any lesser.

The heaps of bounty and the multitudes of rewards are there to be seen,
But we will not force you, as there is no compulsion in our Deen. ^

~ 2nd June 2007


*Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah's Apostle said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's apostle. 
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. 
3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity). 
4. To perform Hajj (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca). 
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. 
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, p. 17).

+ Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A.) reported that the Prophet of Allah (sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that
"Charity does not diminish wealth." [Tabrani]

^Surah Al-Baqara, Ayat 256: “ La Iqrah fid-Deen ” meaning that there is no compulsion in Deen.