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Islam

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The "Five Pillars" of Islam

1. Creed ("Shahadah") - statement of faith: "There is no god but The God (Allah) and Muhammad is God's prophet"

• a declaration of monotheism

• also stresses the role of Muhammad as a prophet, not as a divine being nor as a "son" of God (as Christians identify Jesus). Islam understands that prophets are human beings, not divine beings. The one God is the only divine being.

Poster: What Are The Five Pillars Of Islam? Testimony (IMAN)

2. Prayer ("Salat") - five times a day (dawn, noon, mid-day, sunset, evening); Friday noon is major community prayer and, in Muslim countries, is a day off although not a religiously required "day of rest" like the Sabbath in Judaism or Christianity.

• The Mosque is the place of prayer for Muslims.

• The Imam is spiritual leader, leader of prayer.

The Mosque is bare of furnishings but often lavishly decorated with Persian carpets and geometric tile work. It is oriented toward Mecca - the direction of prayer (qiblah). A niche (mihrab) in the front wall is where the prayer leader (imam) stands for prayer, facing the same direction as the others - toward Mecca. A minaret (sometimes symbolic) outside the building is where the Muezzin calls people to prayer

• The people are called to prayer by the chanting of Azan (call to prayer)

• Prayer is preceded by a ritual ablution for symbolic purity.

• Shoes are removed and women must cover the head in prayer and are seated behind the men or in a balcony (to protect their modesty). The people stand in neat lines, touching toe to toe to indicate their unity

• Prayer consists of several sets (rakahs) of various movements (bowing, kneeling, prostration) and recitation of passages from Quran. Leader may offer brief commentary on passages cited. Prayer takes but 10-15 minutes. Need not be done in Mosque (though preferred), can be done alone if necessary.

Posters:
What Are The Five Pillars Of Islam? Prayer (SALAH)
What Are The Five Pillars Of Islam? Prayer (SALAH) (Cont'd)

View a one hour video clip on Salat (when you get to this site, click on the diagram you'll find there to activate the video)

3. Giving Alms ("Zakat") - 2.5% of excess funds, given privately and voluntarily (those in need, who do not have excess, are the ones who receive)

Poster: What Are The Five Pillars Of Islam? Charity (ZAKAH)

3. Fasting ("Sawm") during the Arabic month of Ramadan - sunup to sundown: no food, drink or sex (age 16 and up; sick, elderly and pregnant expected and make up the fast at a future date or feed the hungry for that period). Ramadan was the month in which Muhammad�s revelation began.

• The Islamic calendar is strictly lunar thus each year is eleven days shorter than the standard solar based year. Significantly, the fast may take place during the short days of winter or the long days of summer.

Poster: What Are The Five Pillars Of Islam? Fasting (SAWM)

5. Pilgrimage ("Hajj") to Mecca (in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar) - at least once in a Muslim�s life if financially and physically able. Symbolic re-enactment of Hagar and Ishmael�s journey and struggle to survive banishment from Abraham's household (see Gen. 21:9-21).

Poster: What Are The Five Pillars Of Islam? Pilgrimage (HAJJ)

Learn more about various pilgrimages of Islam and take an interactive, virtual Hajj: click on "Hajj Step by Step" (first item in left hand menu when you get to the page)