اللّٰهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ La ilāha illallāh, Muḥammadur Rasūlullāh (There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) The First Kalimah is the foundation of Islam. It contains two essential beliefs: the oneness of Allah (Tawheed) and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Believing in and declaring this Kalimah with sincerity makes a person a Muslim. The importance of this Kalimah is evident from the Qur’an and Hadith. Allah says: فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ (Surah Muhammad, 47:19) So know that there is no deity except Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: مَن قَالَ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ (Sahih Muslim) Whoever says ‘La ilaha illallah’ will enter Paradise. Another Hadith says: حَقُّ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ أَنْ يَعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا يُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim) The right of Allah over His servants is that they worship Him and do not associate anything with Him. This Kalimah saves from Hellfire, opens the door to Jannah, and is heavier on the scale than the earth and heavens. It must be said with full belief, sincerity, and knowledge. The conditions for this Kalimah to be accepted are: Knowledge (ʿIlm) Certainty (Yaqīn) Sincerity (Ikhlāṣ) Truthfulness (Ṣidq) Love (Maḥabbah) Submission (Inqiyād) Acceptance (Qabūl) Without belief in this Kalimah, no good deed is accepted. It is the key to Islam and the essence of all teachings in the religion.

  Tawheed (توحيد) – the Oneness of Allah – is the foundation of Islamic belief. It means affirming that Allah alone is the One true Lord, Creator, and only One worthy of worship, without partners, associates, or equals. All Prophets were sent with the message of Tawheed. The Qur’an and Sunnah emphasize its importance throughout. Allah says: وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ ۖ (Surah An-Nahl, 16:36) Translation: And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger [saying], “Worship Allah and avoid false gods.” Allah also says: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56) Translation: And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. Tawheed is essential for salvation, and Shirk (associating others with Allah) is the greatest sin. Allah says: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ (Surah An-Nisa, 4:48) Translation: Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. Tawheed brings peace and guidance. Allah says: الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ (Surah Al-An‘am, 6:82) Translation: Those who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice (i.e., Shirk) — for them is security, and they are rightly guided. The first pillar of Islam is the declaration of Tawheed: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ Translation: There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: قُولُوا لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ تُفْلِحُوا (Musnad Ahmad) Translation: Say “La ilaha illallah” and you will be successful. He also said: حَقُّ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ أَنْ يَعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا يُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا (Bukhari & Muslim) Translation: The right of Allah upon His slaves is that they worship Him and do not associate anything with Him. In another hadith: مَن مَاتَ وَهُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ (Sahih Muslim) Translation: Whoever dies knowing that there is no god but Allah will enter Paradise. In the grave, the first questions will be related to Tawheed: مَنْ رَبُّكَ؟ مَا دِينُكَ؟ مَنْ نَبِيُّكَ؟ (Sunan Abu Dawood) Translation: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet? Tawheed frees the soul from worshiping anything besides Allah and leads to sincerity and humility before Him alone. It is the key to acceptance of deeds and the path to salvation. Allah warns against Shirk and its consequences: وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَاسِرِينَ (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:65) Translation: And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allah, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers. In conclusion, Tawheed is the essence of Islam. It is the first duty upon every human being and the foundation of all acts of worship. The Qur’an and Sunnah give it the highest priority. Sincere belief in Tawheed leads to salvation, while its rejection leads to eternal loss.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam. It is the fourth pillar of Islam and holds a central place in the life of a believer. The significance of fasting is emphasized in both the Qur’an and the Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ). It serves not only as a physical act of abstaining from food and drink but also as a spiritual journey toward self-purification, taqwa (God-consciousness), and moral discipline. 1. Importance in the Light of the Qur’an 1.1 Obligation of Fasting Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah (2:183): “O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwa.” This verse clearly shows that fasting is a divine obligation upon the believers, and its main objective is to develop taqwa — a sense of awareness and fear of Allah in every action. 1.2 Connection with the Qur’an In Surah al-Baqarah (2:185), Allah says: “The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed — a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong).” This highlights that Ramadan is not only a month of fasting but also a month of spiritual reflection and connection with the Qur’an. 1.3 Allah’s Nearness and Mercy Immediately after the verses on fasting, Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah (2:186): “And when My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” This shows that Ramadan is a special time when Allah’s mercy is abundant, and prayers are more readily accepted. 2. Importance in the Light of Sunnah 2.1 Pillar of Islam The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Islam is built upon five things: the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; paying zakah; fasting in Ramadan; and pilgrimage to the House (Ka’bah).” — (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim) 2.2 Forgiveness of Sins The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts in Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward (from Allah), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” — (Sahih Bukhari) 2.3 Special Reward for Fasting The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every action of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward it.” — (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim) This hadith shows the unique value of fasting — it is a private act of worship between the servant and Allah, and only He knows its true reward. 2.4 Gates of Paradise The Prophet ﷺ said: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” — (Sahih Bukhari) 3. Spiritual and Moral Benefits Fasting builds taqwa and helps control desires. It cleanses the soul and softens the heart. It encourages patience, humility, and sincerity. It trains the believer to stay away from sins such as lying, anger, and backbiting. 4. Social and Community Benefits Fasting promotes empathy for the poor and hungry. It encourages generosity, especially through zakat and sadaqah. It strengthens the bonds of community through collective worship like Taraweeh and iftar. It fosters discipline and time management. Conclusion Fasting in Ramadan is a comprehensive form of worship that benefits the individual spiritually, morally, and socially. It is not only about staying hungry and thirsty but about drawing closer to Allah, improving one’s character, and becoming a better human being. The Qur’an and Sunnah clearly show that Ramadan is a month of mercy, forgiveness, and guidance. Every Muslim should strive to make the most of this blessed month by increasing worship, reading the Qur’an, and seeking Allah’s pleasure.

  Importance of Salah in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah  Introduction Salah (الصلاة) is the second pillar of Islam and the most emphasized act of worship after the declaration of faith (Shahadah). It is a direct link between the servant and his Creator. Both the Qur’an and Sunnah repeatedly stress its importance, its obligatory nature, and its role in purifying the soul and strengthening faith. Importance of Salah in the Light of the Qur’an Salah as a Divine Command وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ “And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship].” Surah Al-Baqarah (2:43) Salah Prevents Immorality and Evil إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing. And the remembrance of Allah is greater.” Surah Al-‘Ankabut (29:45) Salah as a Characteristic of True Believers قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۝ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَاتِهِمْ خَـٰشِعُونَ “Certainly will the believers have succeeded: those who are humble in their prayers.” Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:1-2) Neglecting Salah is a Trait of Hypocrites إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قَامُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ قَامُوا۟ كُسَالَىٰ “Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily.” Surah An-Nisa (4:142) Destruction for Those Who Neglect Salah فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ ۝ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ “So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer.” Surah Al-Ma’un (107:4-5) Importance of Salah in the Light of the Sunnah Salah is the First Deed to be Accounted for قال رسول الله ﷺ: “أول ما يحاسب به العبد يوم القيامة الصلاة، فإن صلحت صلح سائر عمله، وإن فسدت فسد سائر عمله.” “The first deed for which a servant will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment will be his prayer. If it is sound, the rest of his deeds will be sound. If it is corrupt, the rest of his deeds will be corrupt.” Tirmidhi, 413 Salah as a Pillar of Islam قال رسول الله ﷺ: “رأس الأمر الإسلام، وعموده الصلاة، وذروة سنامه الجهاد.” “The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer, and its peak is Jihad.” Tirmidhi, 2616 Salah is a Distinction between Muslim and Non-Muslim قال رسول الله ﷺ: “العهد الذي بيننا وبينهم الصلاة؛ فمن تركها فقد كفر.” “The covenant that distinguishes between us and them (non-believers) is the prayer; whoever neglects it has committed disbelief.” Tirmidhi, 2621 Salah Erases Sins قال رسول الله ﷺ: “أرأيتم لو أن نهرًا بباب أحدكم يغتسل فيه كل يوم خمس مرات، هل يبقى من درنه شيء؟ قالوا: لا يبقى من درنه شيء. قال: فذلك مثل الصلوات الخمس، يمحو الله بهن الخطايا.” “If there were a river at the door of one of you and he bathed in it five times a day, would any dirt remain on him?” They said, “No dirt would remain.” He said, “That is the example of the five prayers by which Allah removes sins.” Bukhari, 528; Muslim, 667 Conclusion Salah is not just a ritual but a spiritual necessity. It is the means of attaining nearness to Allah, maintaining moral discipline, and securing success in this life and the hereafter. The Qur’an commands it repeatedly, and the Sunnah stresses its significance as the foundation of faith and the ultimate expression of servitude. الصلاة عماد الدين، من أقامها فقد أقام الدين، ومن تركها فقد هدم الدين “Salah is the pillar of religion. Whoever establishes it has established the religion, and whoever abandons it has demolished the religion.”

The Pahla Kemla is the pahla kalema