The first pillar of "Din" [religion] is Iman or Faith.  Iman means belief.  Iman or faith is necessary in six matters which are generally spoken of as the "SIX ARTICLES OF IMAN"

The articles of Faith (Iman) in Islam are as follows:

1.  The Oneness of Allah,
2.  All His Angels.
3.  All His Books,
4.  All His Prophets,
5.  The Day of Judgment, and
6.  That  the power of doing good or bad actions proceeds from Allah and Allah
     alone.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said:

         "Aamantu billaahi wa malaa-ikatihii wa kutubihii wa rasulihii wa yaumil aakhiri wal qadri khairihii wa sharrihii minallaahi ta-aalaa." (I believe in Allah, and in His Angels, in His Books, and in   His Prophets, and in the Day of Judgment, and that  the power of doing actions proceeds from Allah.)

         The Second Pillar of "Din" (religion) is Islam.  Islam literally means peace, surrender, obedience and submission.  As a religion, Islam stands for complete submission and obedience to the will of Allah
 

The pillars (Principles) of Islam are five in number, i.e.
1.  Declaration of the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad .
2.  Prayer five times a day.
3.  Distribution of Zakat or poor rate.
4.  Fasting in the month of Ramadhan, and
5.  Pilgrimage to Makkah for the performance of Hajj

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said:

        "Buniyal islaamu ‘alaa khamsin shahaadatu allaa ilaaha illallahu wa anna Muhammadar rasuulullaahi wa iqaamus salaati iitta-uz zakaati wal hajju wa saumu ramadhaana." ( Islam is built on five (things), the bearing of witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the payment of zakat and the pilgrimage and fasting in Ramadhan.)

        Prayer (Salaah) in general means "Du’a".  Prayer as one of the most important pillars of Islam means the act of worshipping Allah according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet which begins with "Takbir" and ends with "Salaam".  Prayer, according to Islam, is the essence of man’s duties to god.  Prayer is the only way to communion with God.

Allah s.w.t. said in the Holy Qur’an:

        "Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book and keep up prayer.  Surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil; and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest (force) and Allah knows what you do" (Al Qur’an 29:45)

        The aim of the prayers in Islam is to think of God, to have a pure heart, to take care of the body and clothes, to overcome evil desires, and to be a good-natured and decent person in all respects.  In short prayer ensures us moral, spiritual, and material advantages.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w said:

        "Tell me if there is a stream at the door of one of you, in which he bathes five times everyday, what dost thou say, will it leave anything of his dirt?  They said, it would not leave anything of his dirt.  He said:  This is the likeness of the five prayers, with which Allah blots out (all) faults."  (Al Hadith)
 

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