Embrace Islam, It is Simple

This article aims to give introduction about 5 pillars of Islam for those who seek the true religion.

The 5 pillars are:

1) shahadah (creed)
2) 5 daily prayers (Solah)
3) fasting during Ramadhan (Sawm)
4) almsgiving (Zakah)
5) pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Now, let us take a look in short into each of them.

1) Shahadah (creed)

Shahadah is a saying professing Allah as God of this universe and Muhammad as his Messenger. For individual who wants to convert to Islam, he should say this affirmation and believe in it.

In Arabic the saying is: Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah waashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah

In English: I profess that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.

2) 5 daily prayers

5 daily prayers consist of:

i) Fajr (performed at dawn)
ii) Dhuhr (performed at noon)
iii) Asr (performed in the afternoon)
iv) Maghrib (performed at the sunset)
v) Isha'a (performed in the evening)

3) Fasting during Ramadhan

Fasting means abstaining from food, drink, sexual intercourse and be mindful to any sins from dawn to dusk during Ramadhan (the 9th month in the Islamic calendar).

Fasting during Ramadhan is obligatory to all Muslims but it is forbidden to several groups of people whom it would be dangerous and excessively problematic.

These include:
1) pre-pubescent children
2) diabetes
3) elderly people
4) pregnant or breastfeeding

There are also groups that are allowed not to fast:

1) ill people
2) traveller

4) Almsgiving (Zakah)

It is a charity given by Muslims based on accumulated wealth, and it is obligatory to those who are able to do so.

There are 2 main types of almsgiving:

i) Zakah Fitrah (Fixed amount based on the cost of food such as rice. This Zakah is paid during Ramadhan by head of family for himself and his dependants.) This Zakah aims to purify soul.

ii) Zakah on wealth (2.5% from collectable of wealth within one lunar year. This zakah is given to poor and needy people.)

5) The Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Hajj is the pilgrimage of Muslim during the month of Zulhijjah (the 12th month in the Islamic calendar) to Mecca.

Every able-bodied Muslims should perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime if they can afford to perform it.

Summary

In summary, Islam is a simple religion that closes to the life of each individual in this planet. If an individual embraces and practices Islam, he is one of the successful men in this world and in the hereafter.

Finally, embrace Islam. It is simple and practical. =)

Continue Reading

Interview for IIUM Academic Position

Alhamdulillah, Praise to Allah, Who gives me strength to pass an interview by IIUM Rector today. Now, I want to share this memorable interview to my friends and visitors.

It was a cold morning with raining was pouring down in evey nook and cranny of Kuala Lumpur. After I entered IIUM Main Gate, I went to Rectory at 4th Floor of Administration Block.

About 1015am, I was called to enter the meeting room. After I knocked and entered the room, I know that this is the beginning of my new life. In this room, there were IIUM Rector (Prof. Dato' Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid), Deputy Rector of Academic, and 3 other people-I don't recognized them.

Then, the session started.

Rector(R): So, Salahuddin. What is the qualification that you have?

Salahuddin (S): I have the degree in Pharmacy from IIUM.

(R): So you are keen to continue with us despite of what they did to you.

(S): They are friendly. (Smile)

(R): Can you tell me what are the differences between graduates from IIUM and other universities such as USM or UKM.

(S): The graduates from IIUM have both strength, not only in knowledge but also in virtue. They do different things from others. And, this attract people to ask, why are you doing this, and why are you doing that? Our differences attract non-Muslim to know more about Islam.

(R): Can you explain it further?

(S): I see graduates from IIUM are Muslim professionals where they have akhlaq as additional value. They observe punctuality, have passion to work and thirst for knowledge. They are also obedient to their superior.

(R): So, you can work without salary.

(S): I am now pharmacist in University Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Because of hectic environment, I can only claim half day for 2-days work.

(R): Do you want to study abroad or local?

(S): I have contacted 4 universities. One of them offers me to do PhD directly.

(R): Which university is that?

(S): Nottingham University,Semenyih. The other universities are from Denmark,Switzerland and UK.

(R): Ok, Salahuddin. I will take you in. Thank you (He gave me sign to end the conversation)

(S): Thank you. Assalamualaikum.

That was the end of the interview. It was a very short interview which was around 3 minutes. Really a short one!

Alhamdulillah, now is the next step. I know, that life is making choice. And life is not silent from challenges. At present, I am still choosing the best path.

Thank you to Allah, mother, family, dean, lecturers and my friends. A bountiful of thanks to all.

Continue Reading