THE FIVE PILLARS

SHAHADA

SHAHADA

• Establishes monotheism: “There is no god but god”
• Establishes Muhammad as the prophet of god “And Muhammad is his prophet”
• Muslims surrender to god
• The first thing whispered into a muslims ear at birth is the Shahada
• Also the last thing a Muslim hears before death

SALAT

SALAT

• Muslims as young as seven practice it
• Muslims don’t pray for the benefit of god
• Pray in a mosque or on a prayer mat
• Muslims pray directly to god (no priest needed)
• Ritual washing before they pray (Wudu)

ZAKAT

ZAKAT

• Zakat is about worshiping and self purification by giving to charity
• Muslims give 2.5% of their wealth for Zakat annually
• It is acknowledging that the rich and poor were chooses by god, so we should help those in need
• Zakat is freeing oneself from greed
• Contributions are mandatory in some areas, and voluntary in others

SAWM

SAWM

• Muslims give up food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity
• Muslims eat a large meal called Suhur before dawn
• They not only abstain from physical things, but from evil deeds
• Sawm ends with the festival Eid Ul-fitr
• Pregnant women and elderly people are exempt from fasting

HAJJ

HAJJ

• Muslims reenact the experiences of the prophets during Hajj
• Muslims pray in the direction of the Kaaba
• They wear simple white garments called Ihram
• Muslims walk seven times around the Kaaba counter-clockwise to emulate Muhammad
• If you are physically or financially unable to to travel, you are exempt

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