A Study of Islam The Second Largest Global Religion

1. A Study of IslamThe Second Largest Global Religion

2. The Five Pillars of Islam All Muslims accept and follow the Five Pillars of Islam as prescribed in the Quran They are core beliefs and actions that have united Muslims across time and space

3. The Five Pillars of Islam They are simple hallmarks of Muslim faith that clearly distinguish Islam from all other religions Submitting to the obligations of the Five Pillars reinforces an ongoing sense of God’s presence and reminds Muslims of their worldwide community of believers

4. The Five Pillars of IslamDeclaration of Faith-Shahadah One must testify: ‘there is no god but God (Allah - the God) and Muhammad is the messenger of God’ This proclamation affirms Islam’s absolute monotheism (tawhid - oneness of God) and can not be compromised without allegation of idolatry and unforgivable sin

6. The Five Pillars of IslamDeclaration of Faith-Shahadah The second part of the declaration of faith asserts that Muhammad is final prophet that brought God’s complete revelation to man through the Quran Muslims consider Muhammad the ultimate role model through his life example

7. The Five Pillars of IslamPrayer - Salat Salat (worship) must be performed five times a day Daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, evening The entire day is sanctified and God is remembered and praised ‘I am near. I answer the appeal of the prayerful one whenever he appeals to Me. Let them respond to Me, and believe in Me so they can be directed.’ Q. 2:185

8. The Five Pillars of IslamPrayer - Salat Recitation of portions of the Quran in Arabic and the glorification of God The worshipper stands, bows, kneels, touches the ground with forehead, and sits The salat may be performed in a mosque, at home, at work, indoors, outdoors, alone, or with others The worshipper faces the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba

11. The Five Pillars of IslamPrayer - Salat Every Friday Islamic worshippers have a congregational prayer, juma, in a mosque or congregational area Mosque: masjid - a place of prostration that has a niche: mihrab on one of the walls that indicates the direction of Mecca and a pulpit: minbar - from which the sermon is given and a pool in the courtyard for ceremonial washing and removal of shoes

15. The Five Pillars of IslamTithe - Zakat Zakat - ‘purification’ of self and a social obligation Reminder that wealth is a gift from God, and it should be shared Paid during Ramadan - the month of fasting Mandatory 2.5% of total wealth and assets Sadaqah - voluntary alms given to the poor

16. The Five Pillars of IslamTithe - Zakat Zakat collected by government in early Islamic times and now dependent on the conscience of the giver ‘The alms are for the poor, the needy, and those who collect and distribute them, and for redeeming slaves (and captives), (repaying) debtors and in the cause of God and for travelers, Thus God commands. God is All-Knowing and Wise.’ Q.9:60

17. The Five Pillars of IslamFast of Ramadan O believers, fasting is enjoined on you as it was on those before you, so that you might become righteous. Fast a fixed number of days, but if someone is ill or on a journey, then complete the number of days missed; and those who find it extremely difficult should, as a penance, feed a poor person. So whoever of you is at home, let him fast for a month. And let any who are sick or on a journey set aside an equal number of other days to fast. God wants things to be easy for you and does not want any hardship for you, so complete the number and give glory to God for the guidance and be grateful. Q.2:183-185

18. The Five Pillars of IslamFast of Ramadan Once a year in month of Ramadan - the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar The month of the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad Muslims (whose health permits) must abstain from food, drink, and sexual activity from dawn to sunset Fast is ‘broken’ after sunset with a ‘breakfast’ consisting of special foods and sweets

19. The Five Pillars of IslamFast of Ramadan After ‘breakfast’ many will go to the mosque for evening prayers and special recitations from the Quran On the 27th day of Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the ‘Night of Power’ Ramadan ends with the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast - Eid al-Fitr Similar to Christmas or Hanukkah

21. The Five Pillars of IslamPilgrimage - Hajj Every physically and financially able adult Muslim once in a lifetime is required to pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia Occurs about sixty days after Ramadan Commemorates the sacred events of Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael, and Muhammad Only simple clothing worn by pilgrims

23. The Five Pillars of IslamPilgrimage - Hajj Performed ritual: circumambulation around the Kaaba seven times Kaaba is 40 feet long, 33 feet wide, and 50 feet high, covered with a black cloth embroidered with gold thread of Quranic verses The ‘black stone’ from heaven is in the eastern corner - about twelve inch diameter

26. The Five Pillars of IslamPilgrimage - Hajj Performed ritual: running or walking between the nearby hills to commemorate God’s intervention in her search for water for Ishmael - Genesis 21:17-19 Drinking and bottling water from a nearby well to commemorate God’s intervention Commemoration of Muhammad’s final sermon on Plain of Arafat Hajj ends with feast of Eid al-Adha

28. Jihad Called the ‘sixth pillar’ by many Means ‘to strive or struggle’ in the path or way of God Strive to live a virtuous life and fulfill the mission of the life of a Muslim Can be used to describe a personal struggle: to be a good parent, student, etc. To clean up a neighborhood, to fight drug use, to work for social justice