The Pillars of Islam and Hajj

in Quran (15:75). It involves seeking spiritual nourishment from everything. True prayer instills in a person the mindset of seeking spiritual nourishment for himself from everything. When this spirit is combined with the form of prayer, then a person’s prayer becomes genuine prayer. Otherwise these words of the Prophet, “Go back and pray, for you have not truly prayed” will apply to him. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 757) Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan Fasting is the third pillar of Islam. The form of fasting involves abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset enduring hunger and thirst throughout the day. The spirit of fasting is patience. That is why the month of Ramadan is called the month of fasting (Sahih Ibn Khuzaima, Hadith No. 1887) This indicates that the month of Ramadan is specifically regarded as the month of patience. What is patience? Patience means that a person begins to live a life of self-discipline in this world. He exercises control over his desires. He should not be provoked despite provocation. He can co-exist peacefully with others without letting his ego come in the way. In the realm of social life, when faced with shocks and challenges, he endures them without allowing their impact to affect those around him.