Love for the Companions

Let your hearts be imbued with love for all his Companions and with recognition of the preeminence of the pure leaders among them: Abū Bakr, Umar, Uthmān, and Alī—may Allah be pleased with them and benefit us through our love for them. Commit yourselves to interpreting charitably the disputes that arose among them and to thinking well of what has been related concerning them. It is narrated that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “Do not revile my Companions. By Him in whose hand is my soul, even if one of you were to spend in gold the equivalent of Mount Uhud, it would not equal a mudd (a dry measure) given by one of them, nor even half of it.” If even gold equal to Mount Uhud cannot match half a mudd given by one of them, how could anyone match his merit or attain his stature? Indeed, every one of them—may Allah be pleased with them—spent abundantly.

Honoring the Scholars and Following Their Example

Next, recognize the preeminence of the Successors and of the leaders and scholars who came after them—may Allah have mercy on them. Honor their due standing, follow their example, take guidance from them, tread in their footsteps, carefully preserve their words, and hold their judgments to be sound.

Establishing Prayer

Establish prayer, for it is the pillar of the religion, the mainstay of the Sacred Law, and the most emphatic of the faith’s obligations. Take due care of the ritual purity it requires, vigilantly observe its prescribed times, complete its recitation, perfect its bowing and prostration, maintain humble devotion throughout it, apply yourself wholeheartedly to it, and observe all its other rulings and proper manners, performing it in congregation and in the mosques. All this is the hallmark of the believers, the practice of the righteous, and the path of the God-fearing.

Paying Zakat

Then pay the zakat due on wealth, neither delaying it beyond its appointed time nor begrudging a large amount of it,