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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