Download Five Islamic Pillars of Faith

Five Pillars of Faith
(Fundamental Religious Duties of Islam)
1. The Creed (kalima or shahada) or Faith (iman)
“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.” This is the bedrock of Muslim
belief. One must state this aloud publicly in order to become a Muslim. It is repeated constantly by the
faithful.
2. Prayer (salat)
Prayer as ritual is central to a devout Muslim. They practice prayer five times a day (upon rising, at
noon, in mid afternoon, after sunset, and before retiring). The worshipper must recite the prescribed
prayers (the first Surah and other selections from the Qur’an) in Arabic while facing the Ka’aba in
Mecca. The Hadith (book of tradition) has turned these prayers into a mechanical procedure of standing,
kneeling, hands and face on the ground, and so forth. The call to prayer is sounded by the Muslim crier
(muezzin) from a tower (minaret) which is a part of the mosque.3
3. Almsgiving (zakat) (socialism in religious dress)
Muhammad, who was an orphan, had a strong desire to help the needy. The alms were originally
voluntary, but all Muslims are legally required to give one-fortieth (2.5 percent) of their income for the
destitute. There are many other rules and regulations. Since those to whom alms are given are helping
the giver to salvation, they feel no sense of debt to the giver.
4. Fasting (ramadan or sawn) (honoring the arrival of the Qur’an)
Faithful Muslims fast from sun up to sun down each day during this holy month. The fast develops
self-control, devotion to God, and identity with the destitute. No food or drink may be consumed during
the daylight hours; no smoking or sexual pleasures may be enjoyed, either. Many Muslims eat two
meals a day during Ramadan, one before sunrise and one shortly after sunset.
5. The Pilgrimage (hajj) (honoring Abraham)
The pilgrimage is expected of all Muslims at least once in their lifetime. It can be extremely difficult on
the old and infirm, so in their cases they may send someone in their place. The trip is an essential part in
a Muslim’s gaining salvation. It involves a set of ceremonies and rituals, many of which center around
the Ka’aba shrine. (1.) He casts off his ordinary clothes and puts on two seamless garments; (2.) He
walks barefoot; (3.) Neither shaves, cuts his hair, nor cuts his nails; (4.) Visits the sacred mosque; (5.)
Kisses the Black Stone; (6.) Makes seven circumambulations of the Ka’aba three times running and four
times slowly; (7.) Visits the sacred stone called Maqam Ibrahim; (8.) Must run between Mt. Safa and Mt.
Marwe seven times; (9.) Visits Mt. Arafat, the hearing of a sermon there and spending the night at
Musdalifa; (10.) Throwing of stones at the three pillars of Mina; and, (11.) Offering sacrifice on the last
day of Ihram. The Muslim’s pilgrimage serves to heighten and solidify Islamic faith.4
(6. The Holy War (jihad) (many Islamic clerics have added this sixth pillar)
This duty requires that when the situation warrants, men are required to go to war to spread Islam or
defend it against infidels. One who dies in a “jihad” is guaranteed eternal life in Paradise.
Taken From:
Handbook of Today’s Religions, Josh McDowell and Don Steward, San Bernardino: Here’s Life, 1983,
Pp. 391-392; Eerdman’s Handbook to the World’s Religions, No Author, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1982, Pp. 317-320; The Next World War, Grant Jeffrey, Colorado Springs: Watermark, 206, Pp.
51-64; Unveiling Islam, Ergun Caner and Emir Caner, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2002, Pp. 122-130;
Secrets of the Koran, Don Richardson, Ventura: Regal, 2003, p. 226; Fast Facts on islam, John
Ankerberg and John Weldon, Eugene: Harvest House, 2001, p. 16; No god but God, Reza Aslan,
New York: Random House, 2006, Pp. 146-153