THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

SHAHADA

SHAHADA

• Establishes monotheism: “There is no God, but God...”
• Estabilishes Muhammad as the prophet of God
• Muslim=submission (surrender) to God.
• Shahada is the first thing whispered in a infants ear at birth.
• Shahada is also the last thing a Muslims hears before death (if possible).

SALAT

SALAT

• Before praying, Muslims must do wudu, or ritual washings.
• The worshipers face the quiblah in the direction of the Ka’bah.
• They pray in two lines.
• The sometimes pray at a mosque, but Muslims can pray anywhere.
• A muezzin chants the call to prayer.

ZAKAT

ZAKAT

• Zakat means purification.
• From the teachings of Islam, Muslims must share 1/40 of their wealth each year.
• Zakat helps pay for soup kitchens, clothing, and shelters. It supports orphanages and hospitals. Muslims receive funds to pay their debts. Zakat aids to stranded travelers.
• Zakat helps pay for service for the Muslim community. It can cover school fees and teachers.
• The Qur'an states wealthy people should share their riches with the less fortunate.

SAWM

SAWM

• Pregnant women, travelers, the sick, the elderly, and young children don’t need to fast.
• The holy month of Ramadan encourages generosity, equality, and charity. Fasting teaches Muslims self-control and leads them to a deeper understanding of hunger and poverty.
• Ramadan was the month God first revealed his message to Muhammad.
• During the fast, Muslims can’t drink alcohol, or be involved in any sexual activity, and cannot consume any liquids or food.
• At sunset, Muslims usually break their fast, eat, and perform their sunset prayers. They do this before sunrise as well.

HAJJ

HAJJ

• The hajj promotes fellowship and equality
• In Mecca, pilgrims follow of what they believe is Abraham and Muhammad’s footsteps in order to draw closer to God
• For five days, Muslims dress in white clothing and perform rituals
• The pilgrims circle the Ka'bah seven times, which is a ritual mentioned in the Qur'an. Next, they run along a passage between two small hills
• Then, having completed the hajj, they dress again in their own clothes. Before leaving Mecca, each pilgrim circles the Ka'bah seven more times