The Fundamentals of Islam

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Kufi from ‘Abbas ibn ‘Amir from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Fudayl ibn Yasar from abu Ja’far عليه السلام who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far عليه السلام has said, ‘Islam is based on five principles. They are: Prayer, al-Zakat (charity) fasting, Hajj and al-Wilayah. The call to none of the other principles has been so emphatic as it has been to al- Wilayah. People accepted the other four but they left aside this [al-Wilayah].’”