Five Pillars of Islam
- Shahadah
- Salat
- Zakat
- Sawn
- Hajj
Shahadah (Creed)
It is a creed “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”. The underlying belief of Islam is that there is only one God. To be considered a Muslim, you have to say the Shahadah out loud Infront of 2 witnesses
Salah/Salat (Prayer)
Muslims have to pray 5 times a day. They can pray anywhere but they usually pray on Fridays in a Mosque. They face Mecca when they pray
Zakat (Almsgiving)
It is the Muslim obligation to pay 2.5% of one’s wealth to the needy. They can give their money to help build mosques, etc.
Sawm (Fasting)
Ritual fasting takes place during Ramadan. The month commemorates the time when Muhammad first received the divine message of Allah. Muslims have to abstain from food, water, evil thoughts, drinking, smoking, and sex during daylight hours. Only some are excused. At the end of each day, they can have a light meal. At the end of Ramadan, there is the Feast of Eid al-Fitr.
Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Muslims have to complete the pilgrimage (Go to Mecca) once in a lifetime. Only those who can go without causing hardship to dependents and whose health allows them to go. The heart of Mecca is the Kaaba. They circle the Kaaba 7 times.
Men’s Clothing
Two seamless garments made from white cloth.
Women’s Clothing
Clothes that conceal their bodies and their hair, leaving their faces and hands uncovered. This reminds Men and Women that they will leave all material things in death.
