The Five Pillars of Islam?

Question

Can anyone explain these to me in some more detail?

Answer 1

Islam is built on five pillars. These acts are obligatory on every Muslim adult. Some are done daily, monthly, anually, while one is only required once in a lifetime.


Witnessing-Shahadah

To do this one must simply state publicly "Ashadu alla ilaha illa Allah, wa ashadu anna Muhammed ar-rasool Allah".

This means, "I bear witness that there is no God other than Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammed is His messanger."

It should be a genuine belief from one's heart. 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 and to deliver it from the darkness of ignorance into the light of belief in, and knowledge of, the Creator.


Prayer-Salat

In prayer, every muscle and bone of the body joins the soul and the mind in the worship and glory of Allah(swt).

Offering of prayers is obligatory upon every Muslim who is sane, mature and in the case of women free from menstruation and confinement due to child birth. some requirements must be met in oreder for the prayer to be valid. These include but are not limited to:

* Performing wudu - ritually cleaning the body clothes and ground used for prayer.
* Clothing - one must be covered in the manner according to his gender.
* Facing the Ka'ba (refered to as the Qibla)
* Intention - merely saying in your mind that you are attempting to pray and gain the benifits from it.


Prayers are required at least five times a day. Other obligatory prayer include the Friday congregational prayer, Eid prayers and the funeral prayer. Times of the five daily obligatory prayers:

1.Fajr-Before sunrise.
2.Zuhr-After the sun begins to decline from its zenith.
3.Asr-Mid-afternoon.
4.Magrib-Just after sunset.
5.Isha-night.


In addition one is also encouraged but not required to perform prayers during the day and night. Prayer should be offered in its due time, unless there is a reasonable excuse. Delayed obligatory prayers must be made up. In addition to the prescribed prayer, a Muslim expresses gratitude to Godand appreciation of His favours and asks for His mercy all the time. Especially at times of, childbirth, marriage, going to or rising from bed, leaving and returning to his home, starting a journey or entering a city, riding or driving, before or after eating or drinking, harvesting, visiting graveyards and at time of distress and sickness.




Charity-Zakah

Obligatory charity giving is an act of worship and spiritual investment. Zakah does not only purify the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors. It also frees society from welfare, distrust and coruption. Zakah is paid on the net balance after paying personal expenses, family expenses, due credits, taxes, etc. 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.

The recipients of Zakah are:

- the poor, the needy,
- the new Muslim converts,
- the Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them),
- Muslims in debt,
- employees appointed to collect Zakah,
- Muslims in service of research or study or propagation of Islam,
- wayfarers who are foreigners in need of help.


Note that Zakah is obligatory. Muslims can also go above and beyond what they pay as Zakah, in which case the offering is strictly voluntary (blessing will come to those who wish for his brother what he wishes for himself).




Fasting-Sawm

Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking, and intimate sexual contacts from the break of dawn till sunset. It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches man the principle of sincere love to God, creative sense of hope, devotion,patience, unselfishness, discipline, etc. Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month of Ramadan. Fasting during this time is obligatory on every muslim adult if he is mentally and physically fit and not on a journey. Women are allowed to skip a fasting day due to menstruation, and while nursing a baby.




Pilgrimage-Hajj

It is obligatory to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime. Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of Allah on earth: the Ka'bah. It is also to remember the great assembly of the Day of Judgement when people will stand equal before Allah. Muslims go to Mecca to glorify Allah, not to worship a man. The visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad at Madena is highly recommended but not essential in making the Hajj valid and complete.

Answer 2

1. Shahada. This is a declaration of your faith stating, (There is no God except Allah, Mohammad is the messenger of Allah).
2. Salah. This pillar is praying 5 times a day. Where at set times during the day all Muslims pray in the same direction towards Mecca. We all wash(in a specific way) before we pray; are covered in respect and use a pray rug so we know that what we are praying on is clean also. The times we pray change slightly each day with sun rise and sun set etc.
3. Zakah. Each year Muslims give a fixed amount from there earnings and savings to help the poor and needy. If you are not wealthy then to give in charity can be done in other way eg. feeding a homeless person, giving clothing too needy neighbors etc.
4. Sawm. This fasting from sunrise to sunset in the month of Ramadan. This is the month we celebrate the Koran being revealed to the prophet Mohammad.
5. Hajj. This is making a pilgrimage at least once in your life to mecca. Only if and when you can afford it.
They are very easy and simple to follow. Declare your faith, pray 5 times a day, give in charity, fast in Ramadan, and make pilgrimage one in your life. Simple, nothing complicated. Hopes this answers your question :)

Answer 3

Well I reviewed the answers above and I'll try to simplify the things to you:
1) To witness that there is no GOD but ALLAH " where your prayer ( all form of prayers) is directed to him and only him.And to witness that the message of Islam has been conducted to us by prophet Mohammad PB UH as a messenger of ALLAH ( so believing what he mentioned was documentd is true).
2) To performe prayer 5X a day.
3) Charity or Zakah, which means if you have ceartin amount of money which over your daily needs and have been in your account for a year then you need to take 2.5% of it to the needy or others issues which support Muslims.
4) RAMADAN the month of fasting, to restrain from eating, drinking, fighting with others or saying bad things " which is supposed to be in ramadan and other than ramadan" during the day of ramadan, unless you have exemption.
5) PILIGRIM ' Hajj" to go to Mecca in ceartin time in the year and performe hajj, once in your life and if you are able to do it.

Answer 4

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;
Establishment of the daily prayers;
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
Self-purification through fasting; and
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

http://www.islam101.com/dawah/pillars.html

Answer 5

Shahadah- Your claims that you accept Allah as God and Muhammad as God's messenger
Solat- The 5 daily prayers
Sawm- Fasting in the whole month of Ramadhan unless you have some reasons
Zakat- The charity u have to pay during Ramadhan
Hajj- Go to Kaabah and perform the rituals