Contents

Acknowledgements
AfewQur'anic
versestoponder,at
thebeginningofthe
study
1.Introduction
2.Knowledgeof
Arabicandits
importance
3.BasicRulesTo
BeFollowedInThe
StudyOfThe
Qur'an
4.Explanationof
theQur'anbythe
Qur'an
5.Understanding
thefirstsura:Al
Fatiha,thekeyto
theQur'an
6.Basicteachings
oftheQur'an
7.Theprophetsand
theirrevelations
(7.17.7)
7.Theprophetsand
theirrevelations
(7.8)
8.Topicsapparently
controversial(8.1
8.6)
8.Topicsapparently
controversial(8.7
8.11)
9.Latterdaysaints
10.Implicationsof
HadithforIslam
(10.110.2)
10.Theimplications
ofHadithforIslam
(10.310.4)
11.Thefivepillars
(11.111.3)
11.Thefivepillars
(11.411.5)
12.Economic
systemofthe
Qur'an
13.Lawmakingin
Islam
14.Qur'anand
Science

11. The five pillars (11.411.5)

11.4Fasting
InthemonthofRamadanMuslimsaretofastfromdawntosunset(seenoteattheendofthissection).The
followingversesclarifythisprinciplefurther.
(2:183)Oyewhobelieve!Fastingisprescribedforyou,evenasitwasprescribedforthosebeforeyou,that
yemaywardoff(evil).
(2:184)(Fast)acertainnumberofdays(designatedforfasting)ifoneisillortravelling,anequalnumber
ofotherdaysmaybesubstitutedandforthosewhocanafforditthereisaransom:thefeedingofamanin
needbutifonevolunteers(morerighteousworks),itisbetterforhim.Butfastingisbetterforyouifyou
onlyknew.
(2:185)ThemonthofRamadaninwhichwasrevealedTheQur'an,aguidanceformankind,andclear
proofsoftheguidance,andtheCriterion(ofrightandwrong).Andwhosoeverofyouispresent,lethim
fastthemonth,andwhosoeverofyouissickoronajourney,(lethimfastthesame)numberofotherdays.
AllahdesirethforyoueaseHedesirethnothardshipforyouand(Hedesireth)thatyeshouldcompletethe
period,andthatyeshouldmagnifyAllahforhavingguidedyou,andthatperadventureyemaybethankful.
(2:187)Itismadelawfulforyoutogountoyourwivesonthenightofthefast.Theyareraimentforyou
andyeareraimentforthem.AllahisawarethatyearedeceivingyourselvesinthisrespectandHehath
turnedinmercytowardyouandrelievedyou.SoholdintercoursewiththemandseekthatwhichAllah
hathordainedforyou,andeatanddrinkuntilthewhitethreadbecomethdistincttoyoufromtheblack
threadofdawn.Thenstrictlyobservefasttillnightfallandtouchthemnot,butretreattothemosque[see
section11.4.i].ThesearethelimitsimposedbyAllah,soapproachthemnot.ThusAllahexpoundethHis
revelationstomankindthattheymaywardoffevil.
Note:Inplaceswherethedurationofthedayisverylongcomparedtothemiddlenations,i.e.theMiddleEastern
countries,thedurationofthefastingshouldbebasedonlogicandreason.SurelyAllahwouldnotwantanyonein
suchplacestobearmorehardshipthanotherslivingintheMiddleEast,wheretheaveragedurationofthedayis
about12hours.Thisissupportedbyverse2:185above.
11.4.iTraditionally,thefastisunderstoodtoservethefollowingpurposes:
(i)SubmissiontotheWillofAllahaccordingtotheQur'anicinjunction.
(ii)Promotionofasenseofcompassionforthosecurrentlysufferingeconomichardship.
(iii)Thedevotionofthemonthinprayerandmeditationinthemosque.

16.TheIslamic
state

Thetraditionalthinkingof(i)and(ii)abovearevalid,butasfaras(iii)isconcerned,prevalentunderstandingis
wrong,asitgoesagainsttheveryconceptofwhattheQur'anistryingtoteachus.Thepointisclarifiedbylooking
atadditionalprayers(taraveeh)thatareperformedbyMuslimsduringthemonthofRamadan.

17.Islamand
humanrights

11.4.iiTaraveehprayersduringRamadan

15.Thepurposeof
Mankind

18.TheJewish
scripturesandthe
Bible
19.Human
evolution
20.Conclusion
Appendices(A1,A2,
A3,A4,A5,A6)
Bibliography
BookReviews(2nd
edition)
Questions
Shortdiscussions
MoonSighting

(2:187)[...]thenstrictlyobservethefasttillnightfallandtouchthemnot,butretreat(akfa)tothemosques.
TheArabicrootakfameans'toretire','towithdraw','todevote'or'tobebusy'.DuringthemonthofRamadanAllah
expectsustospendsometimeinthemosque.Thequestionis:whatdoesAllahmeanbythis?Weknowthatthe
Qur'anwasfirstrevealedduringthemonthofRamadan,whichisthereforeaholymonth.Muslimshave
interpretedthistimeinthemosquetobespentinadditionalprayersvaryingfromeighttotwentyrakatsevery
nightduringthewholeofRamadan.Thepersonorpersonswholeadtheprayersaresupposedtocompletethe
recitationofthewholeQur'anatleastonceduringthismonth.Therecitationiscarriedoutatveryfastspeedin
spiteoftheQur'anicinstruction:"[...]andrecitetheQur'aninslow,measuredrhythmictones"(73:4).Thosewho
attendtheprayersstandindevotionlisteningtothisveryfastrecitationwithoutunderstandingawordofit.They
attendbecausetheyareundertheimpressionthatAllahwillshowerthemwithHisblessingforthisdevotion.
Usuallyahafez(onewhohasmemorisedthewholeQur'an)leadstheprayer.Peoplealsoattendthemosqueinvast
numbersonthe27thdayofRamadanhopingtosecureadditionalblessings.Thisisbecausethisparticularnightis
takenasthe'NightofPower'whichis'betterthanathousandmonths',astheQur'anwasfirstrevealedonthis
night.Onthisnighttheangels,bypermissionoftheirSustainer,descendontheearthwithallthedecrees(97:15).
Howeverthedate27thRamadanisbasedontraditionastheexactdateornightisnotspecifiedintheQur'an.
LetusnowseeifthereisanylogicinthismethodofrecitingthewholeQur'anwithoutunderstandingwhatis
beingrecited(seeverse73:4above,andalsosection11.2).Effectively,whattheMuslimsaredoingistellingAllah
whatisintheQur'an.ButAllahalreadyknowswhatisintheQur'an.Hedoesnotrequirethisreminder.WhatHe
wantsisforthebelieverstounderstandtheQur'ansothattheycanbeguidedbyitsteachings,andwhatbettertime
thanthemonthofRamadantorenewourunderstandingoftheQur'an!Whatneedstobedoneisforpeoplewho
lookafterthemosquestoorganiselecturesandseminarsbyinvitingscholarswhoarewellversedintheQur'an.In
fact,allthemosquesshouldpublishtheirprograminadvancesothatpeoplecanattendlecturesandseminars
accordingtowhatsuitsthembest,toenhancetheirknowledgeoftheQur'an.Onewouldnotberequiredtoattend
everydayornightbutonlyatthosetimesthatwouldhelphimorherenhancetheirknowledgeoftheQur'an,and
therebypropagatethedeentomankind.Obviously,therewouldstillbetimesallocatedforprayers,prayersto
thankandpraiseAllahandtoaskforHismercyandforgiveness.However,thereisnopointsimplyfollowinga
ritualwhichhasnomeaning.TheHadithliteraturestatesthatthetaraveehprayerwasnotintroducedduringthe
timeoftheProphetbutlaterduringtheCaliphateofOmar,andasisusual,mostMuslimsfollowblindlywhatisin
theHadithinsteadofgettingtheirguidancefromtheQur'an.Ofcourse,theQur'anistheretorecitefrom,but
themainpointisthatwemusttryandunderstanditsmessage.Infact,byfollowingthismessageandby
discussionandimplementationofthestructureofthedeenineverydaylife,wecouldpropagateasocialorderto
theworldwhichwouldbebothexemplaryandbeneficial.Notetheinstructionandthewarninginthefollowing

verse:
(3:187)And(remember)whenAllahlaidachargeonthosewhohadreceivedtheScripture:Yeareto
expoundittomankindandnottohideit.Buttheyflungitbehindtheirbacksandboughttherebyalittle
gain.Verily,evilisthatwhichtheyhavegainedthereby.
11.4.iiiPhysicalbenefitsoffasting3
Overthepast100150years,thedietofmankindhaschangeddramatically.Ourfoodoncefresh,wholesome,
unrefinedandunsprayedisnowfrozen,cannedorrefinedandtreatedwithallmanneroftoxicpesticides,
preservatives,colouringsandotherchemicals.
Theaccumulationofwastematterortoxinsinourbodyisamajorcauseofdisease.Andovereatingisonecauseof
thisaccumulation.Fastingmaywellbethekeytopurifyingourbodies.
Duringfastingthereisanincreaseintheamountofenergyavailablefortheeliminativeprocess,duetotheabsence
oflargeamountsoffoodrequiringdigestionandassimilation,bothofwhichrequireenergy.Thebodyisableto
redirectthisincreasedenergytowardstheeliminationoftheobstructionstothevitallifeforcei.e.thetoxins.
Duringthefirstthreedaysoffasting,theeliminationactivityismanifestedbytheappearanceofacoatedtongue,
badbreath,headaches,muscularaches,diarrhoea/constipationandgeneraldebility.Thesesymptomsareduetothe
increaseoftoxinsinthebloodstreamandtheirpassingoutviathechannelsofelimination.Thesoonerthese
unpleasantsymptomsappear,themoretoxicthesystem.Bythefourthday,onemayfindeliminationsaremuch
reduced.Thisisusuallyaccompaniedbyafeelingofwellbeing,greaterclarityofmindandabundantenergy.This
conditionlastsindegreesofvaryingintensity,interspersedwithperiodsofalackofenergy,fatigueanddifficulty
inconcentrationasmoretoxinsareeliminated.Thisperiodlastsuntilaboutthetenthdaywhenahealingcrisis
mayoccur.Duringthisprocessthebodyisabletoeliminatealargenumberofdeepseatedtoxinsandwaste
matter.Thismanifestsitselfinvariouswaysfromflulikesymptomstoskineruptionsorothereliminative
processes.Afterthis,apersonwillonceagainexperienceafurtherimprovementinhealthandvigour.
Fastingshouldalwaysbeterminatedwithextremecare.Usually,alittlefruitisideal.Mainmealsshouldbe
moderateinquantityandconsistofbestqualitynaturalfood(nojunk),sincethebodywillbebuildingtissuesfrom
thismaterial.
Ramadanthusprovidesanidealopportunityforinitiatingthisnecessarychangethroughselfdisciplineand
purification.
11.5Hajj(PilgrimagetoMecca)
TheArabicwordHajjisalsoitsownrooti.e.isnotderivedfromanyotherword.Itmeanstoperformthe
pilgrimagetoMecca.Aderivedword,Hajja,meanstoargueagainsteachother,todebateortoreason.Theword
HajjappearsintheQur'antentimesandeverytimethecommandisdirectedtoallmankindandnottoMuslims
alone.ThefactthatHajjisaddressedtomankindimpliesamongotherthings,thattheultimateaimofthe
Almightyistounitehumanbeings,andthiswillonlybepossiblewhendeen,thewayoflifebeneficialto
mankind,isestablished.ThewordHajjaindicatesagreaterandamorecomprehensivepurposeforHajjthanwhat
isimpliedbytheproceduralpart.Thisgreaterpurposeisoutlinedattheendinsection11.5.ii.
Atpresent,theHajj,asperformed,consistsbasicallyofprayerandassociatedrituals,allofwhichweperform
meticulously.TheQur'angivesbriefindicationsbutnodetailsofwhattheritualsshouldconsistof.Incontrast,the
Hadithgivesusexactingdetails,andasaresultoffollowingtheseslavishlywehavelostthemainmeaningof
Hajj.ThereisahugevolumeofHadithliteratureonHajj(whichmayormaynotbetrue)anditisbyfollowing
thisthatwehaveceasedstrivingtoextractthetruepointfromHajj.Theresultofallthisisthelossofsignificance
ofHajj.MuslimshavecometoregardtheHajjasasystem,tobefollowedmeticulously,andawaytowipeoutall
pastsins.ThisisperhapsoneofthereasonswhypeoplewhocanaffordtoperformtheHajjfrequently.Asfaras
theritualpartisconcernedthedetailsarenotdrawnfromrevelationbutcomeunderthedomainofsubsidiarylaws
(seesection13.5).ThisforcesustoacknowledgetheissueaboutwhetheroneperformstheHajjinthesimpleway
givenintheQur'anorinamorecomplicatedwayasgivenbytheHadithliterature.Onemustalsorememberthat
theritualparthasbeengoingonforthelast1400years,andthattherewasnoHadithliteraturetoguidepeople
duringthefirstfewhundredyearsofthisperiod,andsowhateverformofpracticethatexistedduringthatperiod
musthavebeencontinued.TheverseswhichgivethefundamentalsofHajjarelistedbelow.Theyarefollowedby
abriefoutlineoftheHajjprocedure,withreferencestotheverseslisted.Finally,therealimplicationofHajjis
discussed.
(3:96,97)Lo!ThefirstSanctuaryappointedformankindwasthatatBecca(Makka),ablessedplace,a
guidancetothepeoplesWhereinareplainmemorials(ofAllah'sguidance)theplacewhereAbraham
stooduptoprayandwhosoeverenterethitissafe.AndPilgrimagetotheHouseisadutyuntoAllahfor
mankindforhimwhoisabletoundertakeit.Asforhimwhodisbelieveth,(lethimknowthat)lo!Allah
isIndependentof(all)creatures.
(22:2729)AndproclaimuntomankindthePilgrimage.Theywillcomeuntotheeonfootandoneverylean
cameltheywillcomefromeverydeepravinethattheymaywitnessthingsthatareofbenefittothem,and
mentionthenameofAllahonappointeddaysoverthebeastofcattlethatHehathbestowedonthem.Then
eatthereofandfeedtherewiththepoorunfortunate.Thenletthemmakeanendtotheirunkemptness(self
denial)andletthemfulfilthevowswhichthey(may)havemade,andletthemgo(onceagain)aroundthe
ancientHouse.
(2:125)AndwhenWemadetheHouse(atMecca)aresortformankindandasanctuary,(saying):Takeas
yourplaceofworshiptheplacewhereAbrahamstood(topray).AndWeimposedadutyuponAbraham
andIsmael(saying):PurifymyHouseforthosewhogoaroundandthosewhomeditatethereinandthose
whobowdownandprostratethemselves(inworship).
(2:158)Lo!(themountains)AsSafaandAlMarwahareamongtheindicationsofAllah.Itisthereforeno
sinforhimwhoisonpilgrimagetotheHouse(ofGod)orvisitethit,togoaroundthem.Andhewhodoeth

goodofhisownaccord,lo!AllahisResponsive,Aware.
(2:196)Performthepilgrimageandthevisit(toMakka)forAllah.Andifyouareprevented,thensend
suchgiftsascanbeobtainedwithease,andshavenotyourheadsuntilthegiftshavereachedtheir
destination.Andwhoeveramongyouissickorhathanailmentoftheheadmustpayaransomoffastingor
almsgivingoranyotheractofworship.Andifyouareinsafety,thenwhosoevercontentethhimselfwith
thevisitforthepilgrimage(shallgive)suchgiftsascanbehadwithease.Andwhosoevercannotfind
(suchgifts),thenafastofthreedayswhileonthepilgrimage,andofsevenwhenyehavereturnedthatis,
teninall.ThatisforhimwhosefolkarenotpresentattheInviolablePlaceofWorship.Observeyourduty
toAllah,andknowthatAllahissevereinpunishment.
(2:197)Thepilgrimageis(in)thewellknownmonths,andwhoeverismindedtoperformthepilgrimage
therein(lethimrememberthat)thereis(tobe)nolewdnessnorabusenorangryconversationonthe
pilgrimage.AndwhatsoevergoodyoudoAllahknowethit.Somakeprovisionforyourselves(Hereafter)
forthebestprovisionistowardoffevil.ThereforekeepyourdutyuntoMe,Omenofunderstanding.
(2:198,199)ItisnosinforyouthatyeseekthebountyofyourLord.But,whenyepressoninthe
multitudefrom'Arafat,rememberAllahbythesacredmonument.RememberHimasHehathguidedyou,
althoughbeforeyewereofthoseastray.Thenhastenonwardfromtheplacewhencethemultitude
hastenethonward,andaskforgivenessofAllah.Lo!AllahisForgiving,Merciful.
(2:200202)Andwhenyouhavecompletedyourdevotions,thenrememberAllahasyourememberyour
fathersorwithamorelivelyremembrance.Butofmankindishewhosaith:"OurLord!Giveuntousinthe
world,"andhehathnoportionintheHereafter.Andofthem(also)ishewhosaith:"OurLord!Giveunto
usintheworldthatwhichisgoodandintheHereafterthatwhichisgood,andguardusfromthedoomof
Fire".Forthemthereisinstoreagoodlyportionoutofthatwhichtheyhaveearned.Allahisswiftin
reckoning.
(2:203)RememberAllahthroughtheappointeddays.Thenwhosohasten(hisdeparture)bytwodays,itis
nosinforhim,andwhosodelay,itisnosinforhimthatisforhimwhowardsoff(evil).Becarefulofyour
dutytoAllah,andknowthatuntoHimyouwillbegathered.
(5:1)Oyewhobelieve!Fulfilyourundertakings.Thebeastofcattleismadelawfuluntoyou(forfood)
exceptthatwhichisannounceduntoyou(herein),gamebeingunlawfulwhenyeareonthepilgrimage.Lo!
AllahordaineththatwhichpleasethHim.
(5:96)Tohuntandtoeatthefishoftheseaismadelawfulforyou,aprovisionforyouandforseafarers
buttohuntonlandisforbiddenyousolongasyeareonthepilgrimage.BemindfulofyourdutytoAllah,
untoWhomyouwillbegathered.
(22:34)AndforeverynationWehaveappointedaritual,thattheymaymentionthenameofAllahoverthe
beastofthecattlethatHehasgiventhemforfoodandyourGodisoneGod,thereforesurrenderuntoHim.
Andgivegoodtidings(OMuhammad)tothegood.
(22:36,37)Andthecamels!WehaveappointedthemamongtheceremoniesofAllah.Thereinyouhave
muchgood.SomentionthenameofAllahoverthemwhentheyaredrawnupinlines.Thenwhentheir
flanksfall(dead),eatthereofandfeedthebeggarandthesuppliant.ThushaveWemadethemsubjectunto
you,thathaplyyoumaygivethanks.TheirfleshandtheirbloodreachnotAllah,butthedevotionfromyou
reachesHim.ThushaveWemadethemsubjectuntoyouthatyoumaymagnifyAllahthatHehasguided
you.Andgivegoodtidings(OMuhammad)tothegood.
11.5.iHajjprocedure
HajjandUmrahareordainedforthosewhocanaffordit(3:97).Hajjisobservedduringafewdaysofthemonth
ofZulHijjah,the12thmonthoftheIslamiccalendar.UmrahcanbedescribedasashortenedversionofHajjand
canbeobservedanytime.
TheHajjaspracticednowbeginswithabathorshower,followedbyastateofsanctitycalledIhraamwherethe
manwearstwowhiteseamlesssheetsofclothandthewomanamodestdress.ThroughoutHajj,thePilgrimneeds
toabstainfromsexualintercourse,avoidshavingandcuttingofhairandtheuseofbadlanguage(2:197).On
arrivalattheMosque(Kaba)thepilgrim,(manorwoman)walksroundtheKabaseventimes,whileglorifyingand
praisingAllah(2:125,22:29).Theusualutteranceis:"LabbaykaAllahummaLabayk"(OAllahIhaverespondedto
You)."LabbaykaLaaShareekaLakaLabbayk"(IhaverespondedtoYou,andIproclaimthatthereisnootherGod
besideYouIhaverespondedtoYou).Thenextstep,istogoroundthetwosmallhillsnearbycalledAsSafaand
AlMarwahseventimes(2:158).However,thepresentconstructionbytheSaudisdoesnotallowthisonecanonly
walkbetweenthehills.ThiscompletestheUmrahportionofthePilgrimage.ThepilgrimthengoestoArafat,
whichisaverybigfield,tospendadayofprayer,meditationandglorificationofAllah(2:198)fromdawnto
sunset.Aftersunset,thepilgrimgoestoMuzdalifahwherethenightprayerisobserved.FromMuzdalifah,the
pilgrimgoestoMinatospendtwoorthreedays(2:203).21pebblesarepickedupforthesymbolicstoningof
Satan(Devil)atMina.AlsoatMinathecustomarypracticeofsacrificingananimalissupposedtocommemorate
theincidentwhenAbrahamalmostsacrificedIshmael.ThepilgrimthenreturnstoMeccaandobservesafarewell
rotationoftheKabaseventimes.ThiscompletesthetraditionalHajj.
Note:ThereasonforthesacrificeofananimalisfoundintheHadithliteraturewhichassumes,liketheBiblical
story,thatIsaacwasredeemedthroughthesacrificeofalamb.ForQur'anicreferencesonthisseesection7.5.The
Qur'annowherementionsAbrahamsacrificingalamb.AccordingtotheQur'an,thesacrificeofanimalsshould
onlybeforfood(22:28,34and36)sinceatremendousnumberofpeoplehavetobefedduringthisperiod.In
verse2:196,Allahsaysthatifatanytimeyouarepreventedfromgoingthereyoushouldsendwhateveryoucan
asagift(hadiya)tobeusedbythosewhohaveassembledthere.Theslaughterofmillionsofanimalsthroughout
theworldatthistimetocommemorateanincidentwhichdidnotreallytakeplace,hasnobasisintheQur'anic
revelation.Insteadofabloodsacrifice,IshmaelwasredeemedbyAllahimposingonAbrahamandhimafar
greaterduty:thatofbuildingandpurifyingtheHouseofAllahformankind,andofworkingforthecauseofAllah

(seesection7.5).Also,asquotedinverse22:37,Allahsayscategoricallythatthebloodandthemeatofanimals
slaughtereddonotreachHim.MoreovertheQur'andoesnotrequirethesacrificeofanimalsthroughouttheworld
inthatspecificperiod.ItsimplyallowsfortheslaughterofanimalsintheplaceofHajjforthepurposeoffood,
includingthefeedingofthepoor.Again,itseemsthattheMuslimsaremoreinterestedinwhattheHadithshaveto
saythantheguidancegivenintheQur'an.
11.5.iiTherealsignificanceofHajj
TherealsignificanceofHajjbecomesmoreobviousasweconsiderthemeaningofthewordHajjawhichis
derivedfromtherootwordHajj.Themeaningofthisword,asstatedbefore,is:todebate,toargue,ortoconsult.If
thisisthekeytothemeaningoftheMuslimPilgrimage,thequestionis:howcanthisbeachieved?Weknowthat
theannualPilgrimagedrawsMuslimstogetherfromthewholeoftheIslamicworld.Itis,therefore,anideal
opportunitytostrengthentheunityandunderstandingofmankindandtocreatefellowshipintheworld.Thiscan
beachievedbyusingtheweekbeforetheHajjortheweekaftertheHajj,(andifnecessaryoveralongerperiod)
forconsultation,discussionandexaminationofschemesandprojectswhicharethoughttobebeneficial.The
periodofthePilgrimagecould,withinamatterofyears,becomeaneffectiveinstrumentforthepromotionof
knowledgeandcooperationbetweenpeoples,withtheultimateobjectofimplementingthestructureofthedeenin
everydaylife(seechapter16:TheIslamicState).BypractisingwhattheQur'anteaches,thedeenwillpermeatethe
entireworldcommunityandthusfulfilthebasicrequirementofHajjwhichismeantforthewholeofmankind.
References:
1.SahihAlBukhariVolumes1to9,TranslatedbyDr.MuhammadMuhsinKhan.PublishedbyKitabBhaban,
NewDelhi,India.
2.SahihMuslimTranslatedbyAbdulHamidSiddiqi.Volume1.MuhammadAshrafPublishersandBooksellers,
7AibakRoad(NewAnarkali)Lahore7(Pakistan).
3.RamadanATimeforChange:LecturebyDavidStokes.Section11.4.iiisummarisedfromlecturenotes.
Home>Contents>11.Thefivepillars(11.411.5)