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The Five Pillars of Islam. What does it mean to be a Muslim?. By definition, a Muslim is a person who submits to the will of God. The five pillars of Islam are seen as ways of worshipping God – the definition of worship in Islam is very broad and includes all things that are pleasing to God.
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What does it mean to be a Muslim? • By definition, a Muslim is a person who submits to the will of God. • The five pillars of Islam are seen as ways of worshipping God – the definition of worship in Islam is very broad and includes all things that are pleasing to God. • If an individual identifies as Muslim, their entire lifestyle should show their submission to Allah’s will, therefore being worship. • Watch 5 pillars video http://www.youtube.com/user/Cartoons4MuslimKids
Shahada – testimony of faith • The first pillar is testifying that there is only one God and that his final prophet is Muhammad. • All prophets are believed to have preached Islam in their own times-the oneness of God, against idolatry and sin. • While many say that Muhammad was the founder of Islam, the Qur’an says that he will be the last prophet (“the seal of the prophets”). • Children memorize the shahada, and converts to Islam need to only testify publicly to be considered Muslim.
Salat - prayer • Muslims pray 5 times a day, facing the ‘Qibla’. • Prayers can be said any place that is clean. • Prayer unites the body, soul and mind. • For prayers to be valid: • Intention to pray and get benefit from it • Proper modesty must be maintained during prayer • Wudu must be performed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpHcw9uvU6E • Prayers are recited in Arabic. • The call to prayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF47Ec5wBK4 – “Muslim call to prayer makes Christian cry”
Zakat - charity • Muslims give 2.5% of surplus wealth to the poor. • In most countries charity is voluntary, although all pious Muslims will give out of obligation and submission to Allah. • In some Islamic states, zakat is collected by the government like taxes. • Charity is distributed to the needy (in some places, to Muslims first) • Most Muslims with the means to do so also give additional money to charity, above the 2.5%.
Sawm - fasting • Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. • Fasting includes all food and drink, as well as smoking and sexual activity. • Fasting is an act of submission, reminds Muslims of the poor, shows gratitude and sorrow to Allah, and increases spiritual strength. • Penalties are quite strict for breaking the fast. • The fast is broken with the feast of Eid Ul-Fitr – involves celebration, gifts and prayers at the mosque or some else communally.
Hajj - Pilgrimage • All Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if they can afford to. • Pilgrims dress in simple white clothing at about 10 kms from Mecca. • Pilgrims walk around the Kaabaseven times, touching the black stone, traveling seven times between two mountains and “throwing stones at the Devil”. • The practice of throwing stones (originally at pillars, but now a wall) has caused the death of many pilgrims over the years.