Five Pillars of Islam

1. Five Pillars of Islam

2. The Pillars • Called the Five Pillars of Islam because they support Islam, just as physical pillars hold up a roof • Muslims believe God commanded them to do these duties for their own good

3. Shahadah • Translation: There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah • Duty to declare the two great beliefs of Islam: Oneness of God and prophethood • Muslims are to make sure the words of the Shahadah can be seen and heard across the Muslim world

4. Words appear on Flags, mosque walls, in public buildings and in homes. • They are the first words a baby hears after birth, repeated in the call to prayer, used in prayers and should be the final words a Muslim speaks or hears before death • Anyone who stands in front of witnesses and makes this statement of faith considered a Muslim • This is the foundation of Islam while other 4 pillars are putting Shahadah into practice • Some Shi’ah Muslims add “…and Ali is the Friend of God.” to the end of the Shahadah

5. Salah • This Pillar commands Muslims to pray 5 times daily arranged about sunrise and sunset • Shi’ahs combine the afternoon and evening prayers, leaving three prayers daily • Prayer is announced by a call to prayer • Traditionally from minarets, but now even phones and radio used

6. Salah - Wudu • Muslims commanded to prepare for prayer by a purification ritual called Wudu • Mosques provide fountains or rooms • Specific way in which this should be done • Main purpose is to prepare spiritually • http://youtu.be/XwXbRsE-xKY

7. Salah con’t… • Muslims turn to face Makkah when they pray • Unifying by focusing mentally and physically on a single point on earth • Can pray anywhere, as long as it is clean. • Many prefer to pray with other Muslims or in a mosque • The sequence of actions and words in prayer is called rak’ah • Stand and recite the first chapter of the Qur’an • Bow to show how great god is • Prostrate to show complete obedience to God • Jumuah prayer is the Friday midday prayer lead by an Iman who leads prayer and delivers a sermon • Du’a prayers are personal prayers and can be in own language

8. Zakah • Is a duty for Muslims that can afford it • Pay 2.5% of savings to the community • Muslims believe that money is clean if obtained in accordance to God’s law and have paid God what they owe • Put in Collection boxes at mosques or to a Muslim charity • Some prefer to give it to a person directly • In some Muslim countries the government collects Zakah • Can be spent in a way that support Islam and is allowed by God’s law • Muslims who can’t afford to pay are instead directed to be generous with their time and effort

9. Sawm • Fasting in the month of Ramadan • Physical and spiritual exercise • Not allowed to eat, drink, smoke of have sex between dawn and dusk • Those with good reason do not fast – pregnant, nursing, very young, sick, travelers • Also known as month of the Qur’an – during his month it was revealed • Some Muslims set targets for studying the Qur’an

10. Eid ul Fitr • Eid ul Fitr is a festival celebrating the end of the fast after Ramadan • Presents, new clothes, and a feast characterize this event – a sense of family/community involved • Iman will give sermon reminding Muslims it is their duty to: • Care for all living beings • End hatred and anger • Help he poor and needy

11. Hajj • Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah • Happen once in a life time for those that are healthy and wealthy enough • One week each year up to three million Muslims come to the Ka’aba as part of the ritual • Ka’aba is a cube shaped stone building in the center of the Great Mosque of Islam in Makkah • Qur’an says it is the first house of worship

12. Hajj con’t… • Ka’aba is covered in black cloth (the Kiswah) with verses embroidered on it • In the structure is a black stone that fell from heaven – was white and turned black due to sin • Hajj involves series of rituals in/around Makkah – instructions in the Qur’an and sunnah • Ihram – All pilgrims must wear special clothing. Males wear two sheets of white cloth and females clothes of a single colour covering entire body, except the face • Shows unity between race and class amoung Muslims • Changed into before entering Makkah and worn until pilgrimage is complete – people buried in clothes

13. Hajj rituals Makkah - Circle the Ka’aba 7 times counterclockwise reciting pilgrim’s prayer - Touch or greet black stone when passing - Then walk from the hills of Safa to Marwath seven times • Return to Ka’aba to collect water from well of Zamzam (bottled) • Prepare for 13 mile walk to Arafat (hot temps and long journey)

14. Arafat • All pilgrims meet there on ninth day of month to perform Wuquf (ceremony of standing) – if fail to get there in time must repeat pilgrimage • This is site of Muhammad’s last sermon • Sermon is delivered on loud speakers • Day of prayer and reflection

15. Muzdalifah • Journey to Mina is broken at Muzdalifah • Pilgrims must collect 49 stones on journey • As of 2008 they were given pre-packed pebbles in plastic bags Mina • In Mina there are three stone pillars called Jamarat representing evil or temptation • Pilgrims throw their stones at them showing they reject evil • Followed by a feast of sacrifice, Eid ul Adha (celebrated by Muslims around world) • Now sacrificed meat is packaged for pilgrims to give to poor • Pilgrims return to Makkah for final circling of Ka’aba

17. Significance of the Pillars • Training program that develops ideal Muslim character – strengthens Islam • God commands Muslims to carry out duties – follow example of Muhammad in doing so RUSH R – Remind Muslims about the teachings of Islam U – Unite Muslims and strengthens links between them S – Support development of God-consciousness H – Help Muslims put God first in everything they do