The Five Pillars of Islam ShahadaSalatZakatSawmHajj

Shahada A declaration of faith- “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God”. A declaration of faith- “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God”. A Muslim must say this creed with conviction, aloud, at least once in their lifetime. A Muslim must say this creed with conviction, aloud, at least once in their lifetime.

Salat The performance of 5 daily ritual prayers facing Mecca. The performance of 5 daily ritual prayers facing Mecca. The five prayer times are: The five prayer times are: a) dawn prayer b) midday prayer c) mid afternoon prayer d) sunset prayer e) night prayer Prayer time is not determined by the clock, but by the position of the sun. Prayer time is not determined by the clock, but by the position of the sun.

Salat Ritual purity must occur before praying. This includes washing: Ritual purity must occur before praying. This includes washing: a) hands and arms to the elbows b) mouth and nose c) feet to the ankles. There are also requirements regarding the positions of prayer, intentions to pray, dress and the direction faced. There are also requirements regarding the positions of prayer, intentions to pray, dress and the direction faced. Prayer times around the world indicate the community of believers or umma. Prayer times around the world indicate the community of believers or umma.

Zakat Almsgiving Almsgiving In Islam, all wealth belongs to God, humans are merely the custodians of it. In Islam, all wealth belongs to God, humans are merely the custodians of it. Zakat is a compulsory contribution of 1/40 of one’s surplus wealth to the needy. Zakat is a compulsory contribution of 1/40 of one’s surplus wealth to the needy. It is an act of obedience to Allah. It is an act of obedience to Allah. Zakat shows that all are equal before Allah. Zakat shows that all are equal before Allah. Voluntary contributions are also encouraged. Voluntary contributions are also encouraged.

Sawm Fasting occurs in the 9th month of the Muslim year (Ramadan). Fasting occurs in the 9th month of the Muslim year (Ramadan). Sawm involves abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sex during daylight hours. Sawm involves abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sex during daylight hours. There is an increased focus on prayer and meditation. There is an increased focus on prayer and meditation. The motivation behind the fast is obedience to the divine command in the Qur’an. The motivation behind the fast is obedience to the divine command in the Qur’an. By fasting, Muslims seek to share in the suffering of the poor and seek reconciliation and forgiveness. By fasting, Muslims seek to share in the suffering of the poor and seek reconciliation and forgiveness.

Hajj The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca which all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lives. The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca which all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lives. It is performed in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. It is performed in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. All pilgrims bathe, have a haircut and dress in white. All pilgrims bathe, have a haircut and dress in white. They are all equal in one united umma. They are all equal in one united umma.

Hajj At Mecca the pilgrims perform a number of rites recalling the life of the prophet. At Mecca the pilgrims perform a number of rites recalling the life of the prophet. The climax of the pilgrimage is the great festival, the festival of sacrifice. The climax of the pilgrimage is the great festival, the festival of sacrifice. At this festival many animals are slaughtered and the meat is given to the poor. At this festival many animals are slaughtered and the meat is given to the poor.