Fundamentals of Islam

The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Islam is naked, and its clothing is modesty, its adornment loyalty, its valour good deeds, and its pillars piety. Everything has a foundation, and the foundation of Islam is the love for us, the ahl al-bayt (the household of the Prophet).

The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The foundation of Islam is love for me and love for my household.

Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Islam has seven fundamentals: the first is reason, on which perseverance is founded. The second is maintenance of one's honour and honest speech. The third is proper recitation of the Qur'an. The fourth is to love for the sake of Allah and to hate for the sake of Allah. The fifth is the right due to the household of the Prophet (SAWA) and their guardianship. The sixth is the right of one's fellow brothers and their protection. The seventh is close contact with people through fair means.

Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'Islam has been founded on five pillars: the establishment of prayer, the giving of the alms-tax, the fast of the month of Ramazan, the pilgrimage to the Sanctified House, and [the acknowledgment of] our guardianship, the ahl al-bayt.

Imam al-Rida (AS) said, 'Verily Imama (divinely appointed leadership of the twelve Imams) is the ever-growing root of Islam as well as its lofty branch.