FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

PILLAR 1: SHAHADA

SHAHADA

• Muhammad=Prophet of God
• Muslim=Submission to God
• First thing infants are told at birth
• The last thing a Muslim hears before death
• “There is no God, but God...”

PILLAR 2: SALAT

SALAT

• Schedule: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (Midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), Isha (sunset-midday)
• “Prayer is proof of Islam”
• Participation as young as 7
• Discipline, spirituality, closeness to God
• Prayer on clean surfaces + Ritual washing (wudu)

PILLAR 3: ZAKAT

ZAKAT

• Worship of God
• Zakat=Purification
• Qur’an says: wealthy share 2.5% of earnings
• “Money is only pure when shared”
• Provides needs: water + places to sleep

PILLAR 4: SAWM

SAWM

• Muslims must fast (Ramadan)
• Ninth month on Islamic calendar
• No food, drink, smoke, sex
• Under 12, very old, the pregnant may be excused
• Encourages generosity, equality, and charity

PILLAR 5: HAJJ

HAJJ

• Required once in life in 12th month of Islamic year
• Rocks are thrown at the symbolic pillar
• Clothes are changed & the Ka’bah is circled 7 times
• Celebrated w/4 day feast
• Muslims come together/forget differences at Mecca