The Foundations And Concepts of IslamThe Sunnah, as it is regarded as the practical implementation of Islaam, it also explains the Qur'aan, makes comments on it, and explains verses that have general meanings. The Messenger of Allaah used to do all this, sometimes with his words, sometimes with his deeds and sometimes with both. The Sunnah may, in some cases, give independent explanations of some rules and legislations that are not in the Qur'aan. One must have belief in the Qur'aan and Sunnah that they are the primary sources of the religion of Islaam that must be followed and turned to. The command of both must be obeyed, their prohibitions must be abstained from and their contents must be believed. One must also believe in what both contain of the Names, Attributes and Works of Allaah; what He has provided for His believing friends and that with which He threatened His disbelieving enemies. He says, "But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission."[220] He also says, "And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)."[221] After giving an introduction about the sources of this religion, it is appropriate for us to discuss about its degrees which are: Islaam, Eemaan and Ihsaan. We are also going to talk on the pillars of these degrees in brief. THE FIRST DEGREE[222] Islaam: Its pillars are five, they are: Testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah and that Muhammad is His Messenger; performing prayer, paying Zakaat, fasting in the month of Ramadaan and Pilgrimage. One: Testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship save Allaah and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
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