Short Description : Pillars of Islam

Short Description : Pillars of Islam

Pillars of Islam

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• 1) Shahada: Testifying to God's One-ness:

  • The declaration "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet."

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• 2) Salat: Prayer.

  • General Features of Islamic Prayer

    • Five prayer times each day:
      • early morning
      • noon
      • mid-afternoon
      • sunset
      • evening
    • Raq'ah: Bowing and prostration. Represents submission to God.
    • Ablutions, symbolic purification by washing hands, feet, etc. with water (or sand).
    • Qiblah, direction for prayer towards Mecca. Designated by Mihrab, niche in the wall.
    • Du'a, spontaneous private prayer exists, but is less important than communal worship.

  • Elements of Public prayer:

    • Masjid (Mosque):
    • Minaret (Tower for Muadhdhin to announce services).
    • Imam leads prayers. Worshippers stand behind in straight lines.
    • Imam or other scholar delivers a sermon (khutba ) from the pulpit (minbar).
    • Women are not required to attend prayers. When they do, they usually stand behind the men men.
    • Friday, Yawm al-Jum'ah (Day of Assembly), main day of public prayer.

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• 3) Zakat: Giving charity.

  • Originally a free-will donation (what is no called Sadaqah).
  • Now largely compulsory.
  • General rate: 2 1/2% of income annually.
  • Given only to needy Muslims, or for religious purposes, etc.

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• 4) Sawm: Fast

  • In memory of the revelation of the Qur'an.
  • During month of Ramadan, daylight hours.
  • Those who have medical exemptions etc. should fast at another time.
  • 'Id al-Fitr, Feast of Fast-breaking: at beginning of next month.

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• 5) Hajj: Pilgrimage.

  • Every Muslim man and woman (if physically and economically able) should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life-time.
  • Egalitarian atmosphere, Ihram:
    • donning of simple white garments.
    • Refraining from sex, haircuts, jewelry, arguing, etc.
  • Importance of the Ka'ba, associations with Abraham, Hagar Ishmael and Muhammad.
  • Symbolic reenactments of past events:
    • Tawaf: Circling Ka'ba counterclockwise seven times, emphasizing its centrality.
    • Touching black stone of Ka'bah
    • Sa'y: Running seven times between hills and drinking from Zamam spring (recalling Hagar's running for water)
    • Throwing 49 stones at stone "Satan"s (recalling the resistance to Satan's attempts to prevent Abraham from sacrificing Ishmael).
    • On eighth day pilgrims move to the desert and live in tents. Rituals performed there include:
      • Wuquf: Standing in prayer at the Plain of Arafat and Mount of Mercy.
      • 'Id al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): Head or household slaughters animal for feast. Meat is also distributed to the poor.
    • Return to Mecca for second circling of Ka'bah.
    • Most pilgrims also visit Medinah.