Fourthly: Completion of the Pillars of Islam

1-Prayer

Prayer is the second pillar of Islam after the two testimonies of faith. Prayer is what distinguishes Muslim from the non-Muslim.

It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Between a man and Shirk and Kufr there stands his neglect of the prayer.” [Reported by Muslim] 

It is the cornerstone of Islam, and it is the first thing one is questioned about when called to account on the day of Resurrection. Therefore, if it is correctly performed and (thus) accepted (by Allaah The Almighty) all one’s good deeds will be accepted, and if rejected, so will be all one’s deeds.

It is comprised of five prayers in days and night. Fajr (dawn) Prayer is of two Rak‘ahs, Thuhr (noon) Prayer is of four Rak‘ahs, ‘Asr (afternoon) Prayer is of four Rak‘ahs, Maghrib (sunset) Prayer is of three Rak‘ahs, and ‘Ishaa’ (night) Prayer is of four Rak‘ahs.

As long as the Prayer cannot be valid except by Tahaarah (purification) for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Allaah does not accept any prayer (Salat) without purification.” [Reported by Muslim], then it is more appropriate to speak about purification first.

Purification:

It is to remove impurity from the body or clothes and remove what can prevent from performing prayer by Wudoo‘ (ablution) or Ghusl (ritual bath).

Impure objects:

1-What comes out of what is prohibited to be eaten such as human being and dog like: urine, stool, blood and the like. The exceptions are the following:

-Sperm of male human being, his nasal mucus, and saliva. The milk of woman and the wetness that comes from a woman’s vagina.

-What comes out of what has no blood such as insects.

-Saliva and sweat of what is difficult to keep away from such as cat.

2-   All dead objects except that of the sea and human being and all that have no blood.

3-   Every part separated from a living creature. The exception from that are: hair, feather, wool, horn, hooves and part of human being.

4-   Shed blood that is brought about slaughtering the animal or comes out of a part of body of the animal while it is alive and blood comes out of the vulva of humans.