3. ISLAM IS THE VOICE OF HUMAN NATURE

~ 50 ~ 3. ISLAM IS THE VOICE OF HUMAN NATURE The Prophet is reported by ‘Abdullah ibn Umar as saying: ‘Islam has been built on five pillars: testifying that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God; saying prayers; paying zakat (the poor’s due); making the pilgrimage to the House of God in Mecca and fasting in the month of Ramadhan.’ This figure of speech, ‘five pillars,’ is expressly used in certain traditions, and notably in the Book of Salah by Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Maruzi. Although a building is composed of many parts, what really holds up the entire structure is its pillars. If they are strong, the whole structure will be sound. But should they be weak, the entire edifice will crumble. Those, which support the edifice of Islam, are of immense strength, but they must first of all be raised up by its adherents if they are to support its structure. Man’s life is like a piece of land on which he must build a house to God’s liking. His first step