Five Pillars of Islam

Shahada

Shahada - Profession of Faith

• must testify "I bear witness that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is the messenger of God"
• Last thing said before death, first thing whispered in an infant's ear at birth
• Meaning of Shahada to pledge submission to God

Salat

Salat - Five daily prayers

• Muhammad said "prayer is the proof" of Islam
• Wash hands, face, arms, feet in order to pray
• Start by saying "God is most great!"
• Muslims can worship anywhere, in groups or alone
• Pray at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after nightfall

Zakat

Zakat - Charity

• Believed that wealth becomes pure by giving some away
• Give about 2.5% of their wealth
• Zakat helped build public fountains
• Payed school fees for poor kids
• Similar to charitable giving in other religions

Siyam

Siyam - Fasting during Ramadan

• Fast from daybreak to sunset
• Break fast at sunset, often with dates (like Muhammad did)
• Then perform sunset prayer
• Teaches self-control, and leads to deeper understanding of hunger
• Celebration called Eid al-Fitr takes place during end of Ramadan

Hajj

Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca

• Happens on 12th month of Islamic year
• Go if physically and financially able
• Five days long
• Circle Ka'bah seven times, run along passage between two historic hills
• Stone the devil and sacrifice animals