FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

Profession of Faith

Shahada

• Shahada affirms monotheism
• Muhammad is God's messenger
• People believe and pledge their submission to God

Five Daily Prayers

Salat

• Muezzin chants prayer from minaret
• Worship anywhere
• Worshippers face the qiblah (direction of Ka'bah)
• Wash in wudu before praying
• Listen to a Qu'ran reading and the sermon

Charity

Zakat

• Wealth is pure by giving a little away
• Must share 2.5% of surplus wealth with the poor
• Pays for food and clothing
• Similar to charitable giving in other religions
• Effects of Zakat are everywhere

Fasting during Ramadan

Siyam

• Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar
• At sunset, Muslims break their fast with dates and food
• Try to mend fences with family
• Disabled people and children don't have to fast
• Muslims read the entire Qu'ran

Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime

Hajj

• Dress in white clothing and perform a series of rituals
• Abraham built the Ka'bah as a shrine to honor God
• Run along a passage between two small hills
• Pilgrims celebrate with a four-day feast
• Circle the Ka'bah seven times