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The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of a
Muslim's life. They are the testimony of faith,
prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy),
fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the
pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those
who are able.
1. THE TESTIMONY OF FAITH:
The testimony of faith is saying with conviction,
"La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah."
"There is no true god but God," means that none has
the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that
God has neither partner nor son. This testimony of
faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula
which should be said with conviction in order to
convert to Islam. The testimony of faith is the most
important pillar of Islam.
2. PRAYER:
Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does
not take more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer
in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and
God. There are no intermediaries between God and the
worshipper.
In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace,
and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or
her. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
{Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be
comforted by it.} Bilal was one of Prophet
Muhammad's (peace be upon him) companions who was
charged to call the people to prayers.
Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon,
sunset, and night. A Muslim may pray almost
anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or
universities.
3. GIVING ZAKAT (Support of the Needy):
All things belongs to God, and wealth is therefore
held by human beings in trust. The original meaning
of the word zakat is both 'purification' and
'growth.' Giving zakat means 'giving a
specified percentage on certain properties to
certain classes of needy people.' The percentage
which is due on gold, silver, and cash funds that
have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold
and held in possession for one lunar year is two and
a half percent (2.5). Our possessions are purified
by setting aside a small portion for those in need,
and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back
balances and encourages new growth.
A person may also give as much as he or she pleases
as voluntary alms or charity.
4. FASTING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN:
Every year in the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast
from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food,
drink, and sexual relations.
Although fasting is beneficial to the health, it is
regarded principally as a method of spiritual
self-purification. By cutting oneself off from
worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting
person gains true sympathy with those who go
hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual
life.
5. THE PILGRIMAGE TO MAKKAH:
The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an
obligation once in a lifetime for those who are
physically and financially able to perform it. About
two million people go to Makkah each year from every
corner of the globe. Although Makkah is always
filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is
performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic
calendar. Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes
which strip away distinctions of class and culture
so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba
seven times and going seven times between the
hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar
did during her search for water. Then the pilgrims
stand together in Arafa and ask God for what
they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often
thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.
The end of the Hajj is marked by a festival,
Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with
prayers. This and Eid Al-Fitr a feast-day
commemorating the end of Ramadan are the two annual
festivals of the Muslim calendar.
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