The 5 pillars of Islam

The 5 Pillars of Islam• Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the

finality of the prophethood of Muhammad; • Establishment of the daily prayers; • Concern for and almsgiving to the needy; • Self-purification through fasting; and • The pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are

able.

Shahadah - Witnessing• To do this one must simply state publicly

"Ashadu alla ilaha illa Allah, wa ashadu anna Muhammed ar-rasool Allah".

• This means, "I bear witness that there is no God other than Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammed is His messanger."

• A genuine, heartfelt message is needed• Accepting Allah as the one true God and

Muhammad as His messanger

Salat - Prayer• In prayer, every muscle of the body joins the soul in prayer to

Allah• Prayer is mandatory for men who are sane and mature, and

for women who are not menstruating and not with child• Some requirements are needed for prayer:– Performing wudu - ritually cleaning the body clothes and

ground used for prayer. – Clothing - one must be covered in the manner according to

his gender. – Facing the Ka'ba (refered to as the Qibla) – Intention - merely saying in your mind that you are

attempting to pray and gain the benefits from within

Salat - Prayer

Salat - Prayer• Prayer is required at least 5 times a day• Times of the 5 daily prayers are:

1.Fajr-Before sunrise. 2.Zuhr-After the sun begins to decline from its zenith.

3.Asr-Mid-afternoon. 4.Magrib-Just after sunset. 5.Isha-night.

• Prayer should be occur at both day and night• Prayer should be made up if missed• Prayer can also be said for times of gratitude

towards Allah

Zakah - Charity• Obligatory charity is an act of worship• Purifies your heart of selfishness and greed as

well as other negative feelings• Fosters good will and warm wishes• Zakah is paid after paying taxes and other

family expenses• Giving your name is not necessary when giving

Zakah unless it helps give more by others

Sawm - Fasting• Fasting is abstaining from the following

between dawn and sunset:– Eating– Drinking – Sexual encounters

• Teaches severe love of God through sacrifice• Fasting is mandatory during the month of

Ramadan

Hajj – Pilgrimage• It is obligatory to make on pilgrimage to

Mecca once in a person’s lifetime• Muslims from all walks of life assemble at

Mecca to praise Allah• It commemorates the rituals of Muhammad

and his son, the first pilgrims of Allah• Muslims go to Mecca to glorify Allah, not a

man