The Five Pillars of Islam

Introduction

·    Recall: along with the fall of the Roman Empire, we see the spread of Islam throughout Europe. While they did not force people to convert, Muslims obviously welcomed new converts.

·    The Five Pillars were created to ensure that new converts understood how to perform the rituals by which Muslims express their faith and identify themselves as Muslim.

·   They describe in practical terms how Muslims are to worship, or what it means to be a Muslim. They aim to help believers to state in word and in action that they are members of the Muslim community.

 

The First Pillar: CREED

·    Muslim word: Shahadah

·    Profession of faith: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”

·    Underlying belief of Islam.

·    Belief in other prophets (Jesus was a prophet), but Muhammad is the final Messenger of God.                                                                                                     

·    A person only needs to say it aloud before two witnesses to be legally considered a Muslim.

·    CONNECTIONS: notice that the Shahadah is similar to the Jewish Shema (“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”)

The Second Pillar: PRAYER

·    Muslim word: salat

·    Prayer of praise and adoration of God that Muslims are required to say five times a day.

·   Quiet verbal prayer and gestures (see diagram on reverse)

·   When possible, Muslims try to attend a place of worship for their prayers. If it is not possible then prayers can take place at work, home, school, or anywhere, as long as the place is clean.

·    Muslims attend mosque for prayer on Fridays.

·    Muslims can also pray on their own throughout the day. These prayers are called du’a.

·    FUN FACT: Prayer is always said facing the holy city of Mecca.

Mosques are built or altered so that believers can easily find the correct direction.

The Third Pillar: ALMSGIVING

·   Muslim word: Zakat

·   Believers are asked to give to those in need.

·   Each year, Muslims who have more than a certain amount of money or goods are required to donate a portion of their savings (after debt) to the needy, to help build mosques, or to similar causes.

·   It shares wealth fairly in a Muslim society.

The Fourth Pillar: FASTING

·   Muslim word: sawm

·   Takes place during Ramadan (the month in which Muhammad first received the divine message of Allah.

·   As it marks the beginning of the Qur’an, people are encouraged to spend more time reading it.

·   During daylight hours: abstain from food, water, evil thoughts, drinking, smoking, and sex.

·   In the evening hours: families and friends gather to break the day’s fast with a light meal.

·   Ends with the 3-day feast of Eid al-Fitr (The Festival of the Breaking of the Fast). The festival includes special family meals and gift giving.

The Fifth Pillar: PILGRIMAGE

·   Muslim word: hajj

·   Required only once in a lifetime, and only if it will not cause hardship to dependents and if you are healthy enough to make the pilgrimage.

·   A journey to Kaaba in Mecca

·   Viewed as the “supreme experience”

·   Filled with symbolic rituals that recall events from the time of Abraham and Muhammad.

·   Through the hajj, Muslims strengthen their sense of unity with God, with their religious heritage, and with other Muslims.

·   Clothing:  special clothing called ihram is put on. Men wear two seamless garments made from white cloth. Women wear clothes that conceal their bodies and hair (faces and hands uncovered). Ihram has two aims:

1. Emphasize equality

2. Remind pilgrims that in death they will leave behind material things