FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

SHAHADA

SHAHADA-PROFESSION OF FAITH

• The first part affirms monotheism
• The second part identifies Muhammad as God’s messenger
• The meaning of Shahada is that individuals should believe in God and submit to him

SALAT

SALAT-5 DAILY PRAYERS

• Emphasizes religious discipline, spirituality, and closeness to God
• Prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after nightfall
• Muslims face the quiblah when praying
• Muslims use quiblah compasses to tell them where to face when not praying at a mosque

ZAKAT

ZAKAT-CHARITY

• Zakat reminds people of God’s gifts to them
• Christianity and Judaism have their own version of zakat, as do others
• Zakat pays for community projects
• It also helps to pay for other good causes

SIYAM/SAWM

SIYAM/SAWM-FASTING DURING RAMADAN

• Muslims fast from daybreak to sunset
• Pregnant, sick, elderly, and young people don’t need to fast
• Muslims often break their fast with dates
• Ramadan encourages generosity, equality, charity, and forgiveness
• Fasting teaches self-control and what hunger and poverty is like

HAJJ

HAJJ-PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA

• Women can wear anything as long as it covers well and they wear a headscarf
• Men wear a two-piece called an ihram.
• All adult Muslims make the journey if they can
• They go to the Great Mosque and circle the Ka’bah seven times
• Muslims sacrifice sheep/goats and share the meat with the poor