1. Seeking Nearness through His Word (the Qur’an) We need to build a strong relationship with the Quran. Unfortunately, not many people actually ponder over the fact that the Quran is the Word of Allah! It is His way of communicating with us. He had sent the Quran down as guidance for us. And hence a strong relation with the Quran is essential. The Quran would be an intercessor on the Day of Judgement, there are great rewards mentioned in the Hadeeth about the one who recites Quran during day and night, it saves us form the Evil in this world, puts Barakah in our lives. 2. Abiding by the Laws of Allah (fulfilling the obligations & staying away from the Haraam acts) + Doing optional acts of Worship The Prophet ﷺ explained the way that will bring us closer to Allah, may He be glorified, in the most concise and clearest terms. Al-Bukhaari (6502) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allah says: ‘... My slave does not draw closer to Me by anything more beloved to Me than that which I have made obligatory upon him, and My slave continues to draw closer to Me by doing naafil (supererogatory) deeds until I love him…,” This hadith clearly and concisely highlights the way to become a close friend of Allah, may He be exalted, for the one who wants to be one of His close friends. 3.Voluntary fasting for the pleasure of Allah The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said that: “Allaah said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it…’” [al-Bukhaari (1761) and Muslim (1946)] Fasting is not restricted to Ramadhan, but it is an act of worship that can be [and should be in some cases] performed at any time and at any place except when not recommended. Indeed, it is worship that draws the believer closer to Allah and closer to perfection. .

Importance of Hajj and Umrah Mentioned in the Quran and Hadith Importance of Hajj, Allah SWT mentions in the Quran, “When We made the House [i.e., the Ka’ba] a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], ‘Purify My House for those who perform tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].” (Qur’an 2:125) In another place, the Holy Quran states the following about the importance of Hajj: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and guidance for Al-‘Alamin (the mankind and jinns). In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kaaba) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision, and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).” (Surah Al-Imran, 96-97) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), on acknowledging Hajj as a pillar of Islam, said, “Islam is based on five fundamentals: to proclaim that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad (PBUH’s) is the Messenger of Allah, and to establish the prayer, and pay Zakat, to offer pilgrimage of the House [of God] and to fast during Ramadan.” (Sahih Bukhari, No: 7) “Anyone that performs Hajj for ALLAH’s pleasure and avoids all forms of sin will return free from all sins, similar to as he was on his birth day.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim).

Why are the five pillars of Islam important? Each of the five pillars work in tandem with one another to bring the essence of Islam as a religion of peace and submission to Allah SWT, into the lifestyle of every Muslim: Monotheism and the belief in Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last messenger of God is the central tenet of Islam around which everything else revolves, and reciting the Shahada (shahadah) in prayer each day serves to remind Muslims of this integral belief. Salah (salat) occurs five times a day, and offers five different opportunities for remembrance of Allah SWT and our purpose in this life to worship Him. The month of Ramadan requires every Muslim to abstain from their most basic needs and desires, like food, drink and sexual relations for a period of time each day. Every year, the Sawm gives Muslims the opportunity to gather control over their human needs. Without these distractions, Muslims can instead nurture good conduct and their connection to Allah SWT. While Sadaqah (charity) is greatly encouraged to be a part of everyday Muslim life, it is obligatory to offer Zakat (alms) once a year, ensuring that wealth is continuously redistributed to those who are in need of it. During the Hajj (pilgrimage), Muslims must each wear the same simple garments and perform the same ritual acts of devotion to Allah .