Download Profession of Faith

ME1: Five Pillars of Islam
Profession of Faith - “Shahadah”
The statement of Shahadah in Arabic is: “Ashhadu Alla
Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulu
Allah.” An English translation of the profession of faith
would be:
“I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I
bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger”
This statement of faith should be a genuine belief
declared publicly. The witnessing of the oneness of Allah
is the rejection of any form of deity other than Allah, and
the witnessing that Muhammad is his messenger is the
acceptance of him being chosen by Allah to convey his
message of Islam to all humanity.
Thus, the profession of faith is important because it
forbids a Muslim to worship images or false gods.
Likewise, it signifies an individual’s direct relationship
with God without any worldly authorities intervening.
Muslim giving a Profession of Faith
Prayer - “Salat”
Muslims pray five times a day: at sunrise, midday, afternoon,
sunset, and evening. In prayer, a Muslim must face Mecca, the
holiest city of Islam. Muslims are called to prayer from their
community mosque. Before praying, a Muslim’s body, clothes,
and place of prayer must be clean. This explains why Muslims
carry prayer rugs and take off their shoes before entering a
mosque. Muslims can pray alone or with others, although the
Friday midday prayer is preferred in community.
Cleanliness in all respects is important, so during prayer the
world should be out of mind. Thus, modesty in dress is expected
(for example, women must cover hair) and prayers must always
be performed in Arabic language. Prayer involves prostration
where the forehead touches the ground. The prostration and five
daily prayers are symbolic of Muslim’s submission to God, their
adoration and gratitude for God, and their mindfulness of God.
The daily act of purification helped to bind Middle Eastern
society together with a common purpose and resulted in the
building of mosques wherever Muslim went.
Muslim prostrating in prayer
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Alms - “Zakat”
Zakat is prescribed alms. In the Koran, it is always associated
with the observation of worship since Muslims believe faith in
God is expressed through good deeds.
Every Muslim male or female who at the end of the year has
enough wealth is obligated to must give Zakat at the minimum
rate of 2.5%. Taxes paid to government do not substitute for this
religious duty. The contributor should not seek pride or fame but
if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage
others, it is acceptable to do so. Note, the obligatory nature of
Zakat; it is required. Muslims can also go above and beyond
what they pay as Zakat, in which case the offering is a strictly
voluntary charity.
The recipients of Zakat are: the poor, needy, new Muslim
converts, Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them), mosques,
and schools. This act of giving to those in need symbolizes a
limit on greed and accumulation of wealth that all Muslims
should avoid.
Fasting - “Sawm”
Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking, and
smoking from dawn until sunset. Obligatory fasting is done once
a year for the period of the month of Ramadan, the ninth month
of the Islamic year. Although recommended fasting times occur
throughout the year, fasting during the month of Ramadan is a
worship act that is obligated for every adult Muslim male or
female, if he/she is mentally and physically fit. Some exceptions
include children, older men and women, the sick, and pregnant
women, who can postpone their fast until they are fit.
In addition to fasting during Ramadan, it is common for Muslims
to go to mosque and study the Koran for a few hours as well as
avoid telling any lies. Fasting is a matchless Islamic institution
that teaches Muslims the principle of sincere love to God.
Muslims believe fasting teaches devotion, patience,
unselfishness, moderation, discipline, and willpower. Thus,
fasting is important because it binds all Muslims together in an
act that was traditional among the prophets.
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Pilgrimage - “Hajj”
A pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime is obligatory
upon every Muslim male and female who is mentally, physically
and financially fit. It is the largest annual convention of faith on
earth (in 1989: 2.5 million). Peace is the dominant theme. Peace
with Allah, with one's soul, with one another, with all living
creatures.
Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe
assemble in Mecca. Muslims believe it is to commemorate the
divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son
Ishmael, who made the first pilgrimage to the house of Allah on
earth: the Kaaba. Muslims also believe it is also to remember the
great assembly of the Day of Judgment when people will stand
equal before Allah. Muslims go to Mecca to glorify Allah, not to
worship a man.
The hajj involves the following steps:
 Make way to Mecca. Clean/bathe. Dress in simple, white
clothes.
 Go to Great Mosque, pray, and walk around Kaaba seven
times while glorifying God.
 Walk between two hills seven times commemorating the
desperate search for food and water by one of Abraham’s
wives.
 Proceed to the empty plain of Arafat. Day of glorifying
God, repenting, and asking for forgiveness.
 Proceed to Mina. Offer animal sacrifice and the meat is
distributed to the poor. Pick up 21 pebbles and throw
seven pebbles at each of the three pillars that symbolize
satan.
 Return to Mecca. Pray and walk about Kaaba. Cut hair.
The hajj has been an important factor in creating a unified
Muslim community. Through Muslims trip to Mecca each year,
ideas are exchanged and travel has improved in the Middle East.
Mecca and the Kaaba surrounded by Muslims on Pilgrimages
Muslims making a pilgrimage
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM