أَنوارالمحمَّدية

  Section 1 Shahādah Declaration of Faith (الشَّهَادَة) 2.1 Meaning and Linguistic Origins of Shahādah The term "Shahādah" (الشَّهَادَة) originates from the Arabic root sh-h-d (ش-ه-د), which means to witness , to testify , or to bear witness . In Islamic theology, it refers to bearing witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh and that Muḥammad ﷺ is His Messenger. Arabic Formulation : أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ Ashhadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan Rasūlullāh. This declaration is both a verbal statement of belief and an entrance into Islam . Without it, no other pillar of Islam holds value. All schools of Islamic jurisprudence, including the Mālikī madhhab , unanimously agree on this foundation. 2.2 Qur’anic Foundations of Shahādah The Shahādah is rooted in many verses of the Qur’ān. Among the most significant are: لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ “There is ...

  Section 3 Ṣalāh (الصَّلَاة) The Islamic Ritual Prayer 3.1 Introduction: The Importance of Ṣalāh Ṣalāh (الصَّلَاة), the second pillar of Islam, is the most frequent and visible expression of a Muslim’s submission to Allāh. It is an act of both worship and obedience , performed five times daily in a structured manner. Ṣalāh is the distinguishing mark of a believer : الْعَهْدُ الَّذِي بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمُ الصَّلَاةُ، فَمَنْ تَرَكَهَا فَقَدْ كَفَرَ “The covenant that distinguishes between us and them is prayer. Whoever abandons it has disbelieved.” (Tirmidhī, 2621; graded ḥasan) Imām Mālik viewed ṣalāh as non-negotiable , and those who abandon it persistently without excuse were severely censured—even if they didn't deny its obligation ( al-Mudawwanah , vol. 1, p. 95). 3.2 Linguistic and Legal Definitions The Arabic word ṣalāh (الصلاة) means "supplication" or "connection." It is derived from the root ṣ-l-w (ص ل و), meaning to pray or to connect. In th...

Section 4 Zakāh (الزَّكَاةُ) The Obligation of Alms giving 4.1 Introduction: Zakāh in Islam Zakāh (الزَّكَاةُ) is the third pillar of Islam. It is a mandatory act of worship that purifies a Muslim’s wealth and soul. The term zakāh comes from the Arabic root ز-ك-ا , meaning to purify, increase, and bless . خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ صَدَقَةًۭ تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا “Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.” (Qur’ān, At-Tawbah 9:103)

 Section 5 Ṣawm (الصِّيَامُ): Fasting in the Month of Ramadan 5.1 Introduction to Ṣawm Ṣawm (صِيَام) refers to abstaining from specific physical acts—eating, drinking, sexual relations—from dawn (fajr) until sunset (maghrib) with the intention (niyyah) of worshipping Allah during the month of Ramaḍān. Fasting is one of the most spiritually and communally significant acts in Islam. It is a means of purification, spiritual elevation, and solidarity with the poor.  يٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwā (piety).” (Qur’ān, Al-Baqarah 2:183) In the Mālikī school, fasting is a farḍ ʿayn (individual obligation) upon every Muslim who is sane, mature (bāligh), and physically able. Deliberate failure to fast without valid reason is a major sin. 5.2 Legal Definition of Ṣawm (Mālik...

 Section 6 Ḥajj (ٱلْحَجُّ): Pilgrimage to Makkah 6.1 Introduction to Ḥajj Ḥajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able. It is a profound act of devotion that symbolizes unity, submission, and sacrifice. The word ḥajj linguistically means “to intend a journey,” and in Islamic law, it refers to traveling to the Kaʿbah in Makkah and performing specific rites during the appointed days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah.  وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.”

Section 7 Conclusion: Integrating the Five Pillars of Islam in Mālikī Thought 7.1 Summary of the Pillars The Five Pillars of Islam represent the foundation of Islamic life. Each pillar is a distinct act of worship that binds the Muslim to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and the community of believers (Ummah). Together, they form a holistic spiritual structure encompassing belief, worship, charity, discipline, and unity.