(Continued from last week)IF these actions are looked at in view of morals, we discover that the real meaning behind prayer is to train the Muslim on feeling the conscious, loving submission to the will of God, and a reminder of keeping away from evil. Prayer also instills the feeling of humility in the heart while standing before God.A verse in the Qur'an describes this relation between morals and prayer, where it says:'...and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.' (Al-'Ankabut 29:45).The Prophet informs us that God says in a hadith qudsi that He only accepts prayers from people with certain characteristics. These characteristics include: humbling themselves before His glory, not oppressing any of His creatures, being merciful to the destitute, and being compassionate to those who are suffering or are injured. (Narrated by Al-Bazzar) All this is proof of the essence of prayer in Islam.Another pillar of Islam is Zakah. This religious duty symbolises feelings of love, compassion, and mutual concern towards people who are less fortunate in society. It does not comprise the materialistic meaning behind giving money.This is referred to in the Qur'an where God addresses the Prophet: 'Of their goods take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them.'(At-Tawba 9:103). The term 'purification' in this verse signifies the elimination of selfishness and lack of concern for others from the hearts of Muslims.In addition, the word 'charity' in Islam is not only used in terms of paying money to those who are needy, but charity could be a smile or a good word, as the Prophet says: 'A good word is a sadaqah (charity).'(Narrated by Muslim) The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting. We find that the real meaning behind it is not only to restrain from food and drink from dawn to dusk.Rather, it is to strengthen one's will and develop self-discipline in permanently restraining from evil.This is stated in the Qur'an: 'O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restrain' (Al-Baqarah 2:183).The Prophet Muhammad also declares: 'It happens that a person who fasts may gain nothing of his fasting but hunger, and it happens that a person who spends his night in prayer may gain nothing from his prayer but sleeplessness' (Narrated by Ibn Majah).Finally, Hajj or pilgrimage, which is the last pillar of Islam, is also not just about going to Makkah, wearing specific clothing, and making certain rites. Pilgrimage is full of moral lessons, such as patience and humility, which purify a Muslim's soul.The Qur'an highlights the manners that a Muslim should abide by during Hajj:'For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, o ye that are wise' (Al-Baqarah 2:197).(To be continued)Dr Jamal Badawi is a professor at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Canada.
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