ISLAMIC VALUES

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO FIQH AND FIVE PILLATS OF ISLAM

LESSON 2: PURIFICATION AND ITS MEANS
LESSON 3: THE BENEFITS OF WUDU

PREPARED BY:
ABDUL, MUSARAPA K.
ABDULLAH, RAHINA U.
BEED 1-B
 LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO FIQH AND FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

WHAT IS FIQH?

 Fiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. It describes the details of

our Islamic duties and how to perform them.

The five pillars of Islam

Islam is based on five pillars. The five pillars of Islam are:

1. Kalimah ash- Shahadah: declaration of faith

2. Salah: Prayer
3. Zakah: welfare fees; obligatory charity
4. Sawm: fasting
5. Hajj: pilgrimage
 THE PURPOSE OF THE FIVE PILLARS

Pillars are solid structures that hold up the roof of a building. Each pillar needs to be equally
strong to do the job effectively. If some pillars are weak, the whole building becomes unstable and
may fall apart.

Similarly, practicing the Five Pillars of Islam upholds the ‘lmaan (Faith) of the believer and gives
structure to his life. The Five Pillars of Islam describe the most essential forms of worship to Allah. If
a person does not take care to uphold the Five Pillars, his ‘lmaan will weaken, and he will become
distanced from Allah. In such a vulnerable state, he may easily be led astray by the Shaitan and lose
all happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIVE PILLARS

If a Muslim observes the Five Pillars Islam sincerely, Allah, will reward him by guiding him on the
right path and strengthening his Imaan. Thus, learning the correct way of performing these important
tasks is essential to leading a successful Islamic life.

The first of the Five Pillars is Kalimah ash-Shahadah ("Declaration of Faith"), which is the affirmation
of one's faith in Allah and Rasulullah S,A,W as his last prophet. Tawhid has been discussed in the first
section of this book. This section of the book (Fiqh) will elaborate on the remaining four pillars of Islam and
some other important points of Fiqh and Shari'ah (Islamic Law).
 LESSON 2: PURIFICATION AND ITS MEANS

WHAT IS MEANT BY PURIFICATION?

Before offering prayer, a Muslim must purify himself. He must wash

his body and cleanse his heart, mind, and soul in preparation for prayer

There are three types of purification:

a) Wudu (Ablution)
b) Ghusl (Ritual Bath)
c) Tayammum (Dry ablution)

Each type will be described in details in the following lessons.

 DETERMINING THE PURITY OF WATER

Wudu (Ablution) and Ghusl (Ritual Bath) should be performed with pure water. To be
considered pure, water should be free of color, taste, or smell. However, if any of these things come
from dirt, rocks, salt, or other naturally occurring sources, the water may be used. Furthermore,
according to Hanafi Fiqh, if any pure substance is mixed with water, the water can still be used for
wudu or Ghusl, as long as two of the three qualities (i.e. color, taste, or smell) have not been
changed.

SOURCE OF PURE WATER

The following sources of water are considered acceptable for wudu and Ghusl: springs, wells,
rivers, rain water, melted ice or snow, and sea water.
 CLEANLINESS OF THE BODY, CLOTHES, AND PLACE OF WORSHIP

As Muslims, we are required to observe basic hygiene. Each time we go to the

bathroom, we must clean ourselves with water, if it is available. If water is unavailable, we
may use toilet paper. If we are outdoors, or away from a modern toilet, we may use leaves
or stones to clean ourselves. When preparing for prayer, in addition to performing wudu'
or ghusl, we must also ensure that our clothes are reclean. This shows our respect for the
Masjid and for our fellow Muslims.

Before beginning the prayer, we must make sure that the place of worship is clean.
We cannot pray in a place that contains najasah (grave impurity).
LESSON 3: THE BENEFITS OF WUDU
 PREPARATION OF THE BODY

The wudu prepares our bodies for prayer. We are about to stand before Allah s,w,t ,
our Creator, Lord and King, and we should try to present ourselves in the best way
possible. By washing ourselves, ensuring that our clothes are clean and tidy, and
making ourselves calm and attentive, we humbly show that we are ready to be in Allah's
presence.

PREPARATION OF THE MIND

The wudu prepares a Muslim mentally and spiritually for prayer. When we wash the dirt from our
bodies, we may imagine washing away the sins from our bodies and souls. We must also have the
intention not to repeat our sins. So, when we wash our hands, we should repent any wrong deeds that we
may have done with our hands. When we wash our mouths, we should repent any wrong things we may
have said, and so on. If we prepare ourselves for prayer in this way, we become more attentive to the
purpose of the prayer and it brings us closer to Allah s,w,t
Uthman ibn Affan R.A reported that the Prophet said: He who makes wudu and makes it in the best
way, his sins leave his body, even from beneath his nails.
(Transmitted by Muslim)