Politics in Islam Series (5): The Five Pillars of Islam: A State is Needed for Their Fulfillment

 

The Five Pillars of Islam are the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice:

1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith): Testifying that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger.
2. Salah (Prayer): Performing five daily prayers.
3. Zakat (Obligatory Charity): Giving a portion of one’s wealth to specified categories of people.
4. Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): Performing pilgrimage to Makkah for those able to do so.

While the Shahada can be declared individually, the other four pillars require systems, organization, and leadership to be performed in their full and intended form. This necessitates an Islamic state with a political regime that upholds and facilitates the practice of these pillars.

Historical Context: Islam’s Collective and Organized Worship

From the earliest days of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized not only personal acts of worship but also communal obligations that required leadership, resources, and organization:

• The establishment of mosques, led by appointed Imams.
• The collection and proper distribution of Zakat under state authority.
• A clear stance against economic exploitation, especially riba (usury).

These aspects of Islam cannot thrive without an Islamic political system. When the Prophet (PBUH) established the state in Madinah, he ensured that the pillars of Islam were not just individual duties but part of a structured society.

Islamic Perspective: Why the State is Essential for Worship

1. Salah (Prayer): A Symbol of Unity and Organization
   Salah, performed five times daily, is a cornerstone of Islamic life. While it is possible to pray individually, the full benefits of prayer—unity, discipline, and communal bonding—are achieved through:

   • The Azan (Call to Prayer): In an Islamic state, the Azan resonates publicly, reminding everyone of their duty to Allah. In non-Muslim countries, this public call is often restricted or prohibited.
   • Building and Maintaining Mosques: Without a political system, mosques struggle for funding, maintenance, and leadership. An Islamic state ensures there are Imams, Qur’an reciters (Hafaza), and scholars to guide the community.

   Imagine a society where the Azan cannot be heard, where there are no mosques, and where religious leaders are scarce. Can this truly reflect Islam’s vision for prayer?

2. Zakat: A System of Economic Justice
   Zakat is not merely charity—it is a structured economic system ordained by Allah to redistribute wealth and eliminate poverty. The Qur’an specifies eight categories (masarif) of people who are eligible to receive Zakat (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60).

   For Zakat to be effective, it must be:

   • Collected: This requires leadership to assess wealth, ensure compliance, and avoid evasion.
   • Distributed Fairly: An Islamic state ensures Zakat reaches the poor, orphans, and those in need, preventing hoarding and inequality.

   Without a state to oversee this system, Zakat becomes disorganized and its societal impact is lost. Under the Prophet’s leadership in Madinah, Zakat was institutionalized, transforming the economic landscape and creating a just, welfare-oriented society.

3. Sawm (Fasting): A Collective Experience
   Ramadan is not only about personal restraint but also about collective worship and charity. The state plays a role in ensuring that:

   • Community gatherings, such as Taraweeh prayers, are facilitated.
   • Charity and food distribution during Ramadan are organized for the poor.

   In non-Muslim countries, fasting can be challenging due to societal norms, workplace restrictions, and a lack of communal support. An Islamic state fosters an environment where fasting is honored and celebrated.

4. Hajj: Pilgrimage Requires State Cooperation
   Hajj is a monumental act of worship that brings together Muslims from across the world. This pillar requires:

   • Infrastructure and safety for millions of pilgrims.
   • Organized leadership to regulate rituals, transportation, and accommodation.

   Under the leadership of Islamic states, Hajj has been historically managed with precision and care. Without such leadership, chaos would ensue, preventing Muslims from fulfilling this obligation.

5. Prohibition of Riba (Usury): An Economic Command From Allah
   Islam’s stance on riba (usury) is crystal clear:

   “O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:278-279)

   Riba exploits the poor, widens economic inequality, and destroys societies. Today, global economies are built on interest-based systems, leading to debt, poverty, and financial crises. An Islamic state implements an interest-free economic system, promoting fairness and eliminating exploitation.

   Without such a system, individuals may struggle to avoid riba in their personal and business lives. The state’s role is crucial to enforce economic justice.

Comparison: Secular Systems and the Loss of Islamic Worship

In secular systems that separate religion from politics:

• Mosques and Azan are often restricted, silencing public worship.
• Zakat becomes individual charity, failing to address systemic poverty.
• Riba dominates economies, leading to exploitation and injustice.
• Hajj and fasting lack state-level support, making them harder to fulfill.

This fragmented approach undermines the comprehensive vision of Islam, reducing it to personal rituals instead of a societal system.

Modern Times: Restoring Islam’s Complete Vision

The Prophet (PBUH) understood that without a state, the pillars of Islam would lose their collective strength. Today, Muslims face challenges in performing their worship as intended:

• In non-Muslim countries, public prayer and fasting are often suppressed.
• The global financial system traps individuals and nations in interest-based debt.

The solution lies in reviving Islam’s political teachings. By establishing systems that align with Shari’a, Muslims can practice their faith fully and create just societies.

Imagine a world where:

• The Azan echoes freely, uniting hearts in worship.
• Zakat eliminates poverty, providing dignity to all.
• Riba is abolished, freeing economies from exploitation.

This is the vision Islam offers—a vision that requires leadership, organization, and a political framework.

Conclusion: Islam’s Pillars Prove the Need for a State

The Five Pillars of Islam are not isolated acts of worship—they are a blueprint for a just, united, and organized society. Without an Islamic state, these pillars lose their collective impact, and Muslims struggle to fulfill their obligations as intended by Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established the state in Madinah to ensure the full implementation of Islam. Today, Muslims must recognize that politics is inseparable from Islam, as it provides the framework to uphold worship, justice, and morality in society.

Let us strive to revive Islam’s complete message, ensuring that its pillars are not confined to personal acts but shape the systems and structures of our world.