The five pillars of Islam

• The five pillars of Islam (for Sunni Islam)

  1. Shahadah
  2. Salat
  3. Zakat
  4. Sawm
  5. Hajj
• Shahadah (the declaration of faith)

  • The first and most important pillar in Islam.
  • If muslims didn’t believe in the shahadah then they won’t do or believe in anything else.
  • It is essential for both Shi’a and Sunni Muslims although it not one of the ten obligatory acts.
  • The declaration of faith is “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad his messenger.” Muslims should say this several times a day.
  • It is whispered in a muslims ear when they are born and when they die ( the first and last thing they should hear because it is the most important).
• Salat (prayer five times a day)

  • The second most important duty in Islam.
  • Muslims should pray five times a day : at sunrise, around noon, late afternoon, after sunset and late evening.
  • Muslims don’t always pray five times a day. Sunni Muslims only combine prayers if they have a very good reason to however Shi’a muslims combine some prayers so tend to pray three times a day but they all say the same prayers.
  • Salat keeps Muslims in close contact with Allah and encourages moral and spiritual discipline and is a reminder that everyone is equal.
• Rituals Muslims face during salat.

  1. Wudu (washing before prayer) - Muslims have to be pure and clean when approaching Allah both spiritually and physically. Muslims wash their face, arms, and feet before prayer. A prayer mat is often used when not praying in a mosque.
  2. Muslims should face Makkah in Saudi Arabia - The direction is called the Qiblah.
  3. When at the mosque, women and men pray separately so people can concentrate on Allah rather than the opposite sex however this is not the case in all mosques.
• Rak’ah - a set prayer ritual.

  It may be repeated several times at each prayer session.

  Each rak’ah involves standing then kneeling then putting your forehead to the ground as a sign of submission to Allah.

  If several Muslims are praying in one place then rak’ah is done together at the same time.
• Zakat (charitable giving).

  • Each person decides where to donate their money.
  • Zakat encourages generosity and compassion.
  • Zakat involves redistribution of wealth.
  • The amount given is usually 2.5% of a person’s wealth each year.
  • It is used to help Muslims who are less well off or given to charities or mosques - “to help the poor and the needy”.
• Sawm (fasting during Ramadan).

  • Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar and is determined by the moon so isn’t always the same time of year.
  • Muslims are obliged to fast between sunrise and sunset.
  • This teaches self discipline which brings Muslims closer to Allah.
  • Sawm doesn’t just involve not eating or drinking but also includes other things like listening to music and smoking.
  • It makes Muslims think about the people who don’t have a choice if they are hungry and are more likely to donate.
• The night of power / Laylat al-Qadr

  • It falls during Ramadan.
  • This is the holiest night of the year and the Qur’an says “better than a thousand months“.
  • Muslims believe that Muhammad received at least part of the Qur’an during this night.
  • Ramadan is also a time of thanksgiving for the Qur’an (during ramadan it is read from the start to the end in the mosque).
  • It is also important because Muslims believe that Allah will forgive their sins on this night.
• Exceptions to fasting during Ramadan :

  • Children don’t have to fast until they are about 12 years old.
  • Old people (there is no specific age) but they don’t have to fast.
  • People can be excused for medical reasons. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating can also be excused.
  • If you have missed a few days of fast then the Qur’an says you should make up for it by either fasting for the same amount of days or by giving food to someone who might need it.
• Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah)

  • Muslims should make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime as long as they can afford it and are healthy enough to cope with the journey.
  • It has to happen during the month Dhu’l-Hijja to count as a pilgrimage.
  • Adam, Ibrahim, Isma’il are all associated with Makkah and Muhammad lived there so it is a holy place.
• The ka’ba

  • Is a stone cube covered in a black cloth.
  • It is the holiest place in Islam.
  • Most Muslims believe that Adam built it.
• 1. All pilgrims dress in simple white clothing (Ihram) so they are all equal.
• 2. Muslims must do seven circuits anti clockwise of the ka’ba touching the stone if possible. This ritual is called the Tawaf.
• 3. Next they must make seven journeys between the hills of Safa and Marwa - where Hajar (Ibrahim’s wife) searched for water for their son Isma’il. Then they will get water from the Zamzam well which Allah made for Hajar.
• 4. Then pilgrims go to Mount Arafat to stand and pray for Allah’s forgiveness. This is where Muslims believe that Adam was forgiven after being thrown out of the garden of Eden and where the day of judgement will take place.
• 5. The pilgrims spend the night at Muzdalifa, a valley between Arafat and Mina where they collect pebbles.
• 6. The pebbles are then thrown at three pillars in Mina to symbolise driving the devil away. Ibrahim is believed to have once thrown stones at the devil.
• 7. The title Hajji is given to those who complete Hajj.

  Many Muslims find that Hajj helps their faith and increases unity between other Muslims and they believe it cleanses them of all sins.