Islam is built on Five Pillars of Enlightenment that outline the primary obligations a Muslim must fulfil throughout their life.
When the Prophet Mohammad was asked to define Islam, he named the Five Pillars, the cornerstones of divine faith and living in Islam.
These acts of worship are:
Shahada: Faith
Salah: Prayer
Zakat: Alms/Tax
Sawm: Fasting
Hajj: Pilgrimage
Shahada - Declaration of Faith
Shahada is a profession of faith that should be declared publicly. It acknowledges there is only one God and Mohammad is his Messenger. The statement is: I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is his Messenger'. Spoken with sincerity and conviction before Muslim witnesses, the Shahada can also denote conversion to Islam.
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| Pilgrim at prayer |
Salah - Prayer
Prayers are the direct link between Muslims and God and a central aspect of daily life. All Muslims must pray five times a day. Before prayer, Muslims must perform ablutions (wudu) and symbolically purify the body by washing their hands and feet with water. Prayers must be recited facing the Qiblah (direction of Mecca and the Ka'aba). The five prayers are: fajr (dawn/early morning), zuhr (noon), asr (mid-afternoon), maghrib (sunset) and isha (evening). Friday noon prayers are a weekly worship service at which a sermon is usually delivered.
'When you are summoned to Friday prayers hasten to the remembrance of God and cease your trading. That would be best for you, if you but knew it. Then, when the prayers are ended, disperse and go your ways in quest of God's bounty. Remember God always, so that you may prosper.'
Zakat - Tax
Alms is an annual voluntary charity paid by Muslims to remind them that their wealth belongs to God. All Muslims have a duty to share a percentage of their income and savings with needy and worthy causes in the Ummah. Once a year, adult Muslims must pay a 2 1/2 percent tax on any wealth, usually at mosques.
'Those that have faith and do good works, attend to their prayers and render the arms levy, will be rewarded by their Lord and will have nothing to fear or to regret.'
Sawm - Fasting
During the holy month of Ramadan (when the Quran was revealed to Mohammad), Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset. Able-bodied Muslims must also exercise moral and physical restraint during this period, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations. Fasting focuses the mind on spiritual matters and raises an awareness of those less fortunate. Menstruating or pregnant women and very young children are not expected to fast but any days missed by adults should be made up later. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the three-day celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
'In the month of Ramadan the Quran was revealed, a book of guidance for mankind with proofs of guidance distinguishing right from wrong. Therefore whoever of you is present in that month let him fastÖHe desires you to fast the whole month so that you may magnify God and render thanks to Him for giving you His guidance.'
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Pilgrimage to Mecca
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Hajj - Pilgrimage
The fifth pillar is the obligation for every Muslim to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, if mentally, physically and financially able to do so. Pilgrims wear special clothes called ihram and observe prescribed rites based on the life of Prophet Abraham. Asking God's forgiveness, the Hajj is also regarded as a rehearsal for the Day of Judgement. Hajj occurs during the final month of the Islamic year and culminates with the celebration of Eid al-Adha. It must be conducted with complete devotion to God.
'Make the pilgrimage in the appointed months. He that intends to perform it in those months must abstain from sexual intercourse, obscene language, and acrimonious disputes while on pilgrimage. God is aware of whatever good you do. Provide well for yourselves: the best provision is piety.'
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History