I. Ritual – The Five Pillars of Islam 1. The Creed –There Is no God except Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger

2. Prayer 2. Prayer

SALAT-PRAYER Five daily prayers: – Before sunrise – Early afternoon – Late afternoon – After sunset – At night

PRAYER- SALAT The prophet called the salat the “center pole” of the religion The Qur’an commands performance of the salat more than any other activity God loves the salat more than every other human act

PRAYER Salat is a remarkably compact and focused exercise. It gently returns our lives to “that which we really love” five times a day. The whole person in action performs Muslim prayer. Not only the contemplative mind, but also memory, intellect, imagination, the heart, and the whole body are engaged.

PRAYER “Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish prayer, for surely, prayer prevents (and protects) from indecency and wrongdoing, and for the remembrance of God is more worthwhile.” Spider 29: 45

CALL TO PRAYER God is the Greatest! I bear witness that there is no reality apart from Supreme reality I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God Come, come to Prayer Come, come to the highest spiritual realization God is Greatest! Nothing exists apart from God

PURIFICATION Wash the hands to the wrists: May these hands be instruments of peace. Then cup a handful of water to the lips with the right hand, rinsing the mouth three times: May this mouth speak only the pleasing words, the healing words, the truthful words.

PURIFICATION Then lightly snuff water into the nose three times: May I long for the sweet fragrance of sanctity. Then wash the whole face and eyes: May this face shine with the light of compassion. May these eyes see the work of the Creator everywhere they look.

CONTINUED Run damp and refreshing hands over the top of the head. Pass the wet tips of the fingers inside and outside the ears, and over the nape of the neck: May these ears hear only the resonance of the Creator; may this neck bend in humility to the One. Wash the feet up to the ankles: May these feet walk on holy ground.

CONTINUED “While doing your ablutions, you must be aware only of your love for God. Make your heart steadfast in that state.” By the time you have finished, you must have the intent and the aim of seeing God. “ I have a time with God in which neither a God-sent prophet nor an angel who is brought near to God has room.”

ALONE WITH THE ALONE “Human beings, if you wish to enter the presence of your Lord without permission, and speak to Him without an interpreter, you have only to enter!”

3. Almsgiving

ZAKAT (charity) Obligatory for able person Calculated to be at least 2.5% of your savings per year “Smiling”

4. Fasting

NEW MOON

SAWM (fasting) Ramadan : 9 th lunar month Dawn to dusk Abstain from eating, drinking, sexual gratification Must include works of charity “Refresher course” for the year – Refrain from anger, backbiting, hurting people, be a model Muslim. – Compassion for poor

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

HAJJ (pilgrimage) Performed in the 12 th month of Muslim calendar Performed in Mecca Obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are financially able and healthy