THE Five pillars of Islam
Islam is built upon five basic principles. These principles serves as the foundation for all of the beliefs of the religion. The names and what the five pillars are the following:
- Iman/Faith - The first pillar of Islam is Iman, or faith. This is the belief that Allah is the one and only God. The declaration of this faith is known as Shahadah.
- Salat/Prayer - Salat, or prayer, is the second pillar of Islam. Followers of Islam are required to pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
- Zakat/Alms - Giving - Giving alms to the poor, known most commonly as Zakat, is the third pillar of Islam. Muslims are to give a certain percentage of their income to benefit the poor. This is known as a form of worship to God.
- Sawm/Fasting - Sawm, or fasting is the next pillar of Islam. This requires Muslims to fast for the entire month of Ramadan. They abstain from food, drink, and having sexual relations with their spouses during the daylight hours. People can make up any fasts that they might have missed if they were physically unable to during the month of Ramadan when the are healthy again. This is also considered an act of worship to God.
- Hajj/Pilgrimage - The fifth and final pillar of Islam is Hajj, which is the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who are physically and financially able to afford it are obligated to perform Hajj. This takes place during the first half of the last month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar pattern. It is known as a financial sacrifice and an act of worship to God. They wear special clothing so that they all appear to be equal before God. During this journey, Muslims walk around the Kaabah seven times, and run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hajir, Ibrahim's wife, during her search for water. They later stand together on Mount Arafat, where Muhammad gave his final sermon, and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought as a preview of the Day of Judgment.