What are the Five Pillars of Islam, the ways they are practiced and the purpose of each?

Answer 1

With any system of belief there must be a foundation in which it is built upon. The five pillars of Islam is that foundation for Muslims. The pillars are profession of faith, prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
The profession of faith is the first pillar of Islam. One must profess There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God. It is the first “because it is foundational; all else—the rest of the pillars, ethics, the Muslim’s entire life—depends on this declaration of faith. By doing so the Muslim is committing to absolute monotheism, an unshakable and uncompromising faith I the oneness or unity. It is also to affirmation of Muhammad as the messenger of God, the last and final prophet, who serves as a model for the Muslim community. A Muslim must also believe in one God, who alone is worthy of worship; belief in angels, spiritual beings who do the will of God; belief in scared books, including the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospels; belief in the prophets, as examples to follow and as spokesmen of God, with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus primary among others; and belief in the Day of Judgment and resurrection. This is to be done each time a person prays.
Prayer or salat is the profession of the faith through prayer, 5 times a day. This will begin at seven. The prayer is to be performed at sunrise, noon, afternoon, evening and night while facing Makkah, the holy city and center of Islam, Muslims, individually or in a group, can perform their prayers. The prayer can be as long or short as needed from 2 to 30 minutes. Before prayer one must be clean, therefore the ceremonial bathing or Wudu must be performed. Here the hands are washed the right first three times, then the mouth three times, the nose three times, the arms wrist to elbows beginning with the right, the face three times, the head and ears one time each, ending with the feet right then left to the ankle. Without this ritual washing, a symbolic restoration of the believer to original purity and balance, the salat is not valid. If there is no water one may use sand. When praying one may pray in the mosque or alone, if a mosque is unavailable, a prayer rug may serve as a mosque. if the prayer does not have a rug the Muslim can pray anywhere that is clean. One should be focused facing Makkah and Ka'abah. The prayer is a process of several bows before and placing the head on the floor, during which one will recite the Takbir, “Allaha Akbar” or “God is greatest.” By placing the head on floor you are as low as you can be to God, showing submission to God. On Friday there is a communal prayer. Only men are required to attend the Friday congregational prayer. If woman attend, for reasons of modesty due to the prostrations, they stand at the back, often separated by a curtain, or in a side room.
Almsgiving or zakat is another way to help with the poorer people in our world. This is a form of social security system and organized welfare program which helps a Muslim society share its wealth and maintain an equitable society. Zakat is not regarded as charity since it is not really voluntary but instead it is owed, by those who have received their wealth as a trust from God’s bounty, to the poor. This is a personal tax made on the individual beyond personal and business expenses, donations to charity, and state taxes. Zakat is seen as “an act of worship, very much like prayer and fasting, and the money donated is earmarked for the poor, needy, disabled, and other deprived people. Although this collection began as a collection by the government it was late and still in most cases applied to the individual. In recent years a number of governments (Pakistan, the Sudan, Libya) have asserted the government’s right to a zakat tax.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is the forth pillar. The month of Ramadan was chosen for the annual period of personal spiritual renewal because it was in the last ten days of Ramadan that Muhammad experienced his ‘Night of Power’ and first received revelations from Allah which were to become the Quran. During this month all Muslims are to fast from sunrise to sunset, they are to fast from food, drink, gambling, sexual activity, and all sensuous pleasures. One must maintain a clean mind and body by purifying oneself, the age requirement same as for prayer. It is a time when the spiritual values of love, honesty, devotion, generosity, and social concern are deepened. Ramadan is seen as a time for reflection and spiritual discipline, for expressing gratitude for God’s guidance and atoning for past sins, for awareness of human frailty and dependence on God, as for remembering and responding to the needs of the poor and hungry. At the end of the month Muslims is a time of celebration. It is a “time for family reunions and gift giving and a holiday. There is usually a sacrifice of a lamb or other animal that is given to the poor. Many in today’s world have a hard time with fasting because of temptation.
The fifth pillar is pilgrimage or Hajj to Makkah. After Muhammad destroyed the idols in Ka'abah and Makkah became a place for Muslims to come together as so many had done since Abraham built the Ka’abah. Once in a lifetime, if health and material means permit, a Muslim is expected to make a religious journey to Makkah. This journey, two months after Ramadan in the month of Dhu al-Hijja, requires for one to save sometimes for a lifetime, the pilgrim cannot borrow and go into debt to make the pilgrimage. A Hajj is invalid if one has to go into debt to make the trip. As people enter Mecca they must go threw the same routes that early Muslims did. The Hajj provides an opportunity to reenact the founding of Islam and renew link with Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael, and of course, Muhammad. It is a return to origins, to roots, to the prestige of the beginnings. As you enter Ka'abah everyone is equal; encouraging atonement. Clothing is removed and a white shroud, such as a burial cloth, is put on to remind us that we are all mortal. This shroud is often used to bury the person later. Muslims from around the world—of all classes, colors, nationality, and races—are there in the same dress, performing the same rituals. There is also no rank or privilege in this holy place because we are without rank before Allah. As pilgrims enter the Ka’abah they move in a counterclockwise direction, they circle the Ka’abah seven times. A major part of the pilgrimage is to visit the Plain of Arafat, from noon to sunset, the pilgrims stand before God in repentance, seeking His forgiveness for themselves and all Muslims throughout the world. It was there on the Mount of Mercy the Prophet gave last message. Once again, the preacher repeats Muhammad’s call for peace and harmony among the believers. On the tenth day of the month the feast of Id al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, occurs. The feast consists of ceremony and prayer, if the family or person can afford it, sacrifice of an animal. The sacrifice is in remembrance of the sheep sent in place of Ishmael. Part of this sacrifice is to be given to the poor.
These are the Pillars of Islam; they are the basis of a Muslims way of life. All else is built upon these principles. A Muslim must have a profession of faith, prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Answer 2

Testimony of Faith -- A declaration that only Allah and his prophet Muhammad are worthy of praise
Ritual Prayer -- Five daily prayers towards Mecca
Fasting During Ramadan -- No eating, smoking, drinking (alcohol) , sex, unruly thoughts or worldly behaviors during the month of Ramadan during the day.
Alms --2.5% of the savings (or earnings) of a person in the trade or industry feilds, 10-20% of the produce of a farmer, both go to the poor.
Pilgrimage to Mecca -- if you are able, go to Mecca during the Zul Hijjah

Answer 3

Deuteronomy 24 : 4 -Since she has slept with her second husband, she cannot marry her first husband again. Their marriage would pollute the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and he would be disgusted. Jeremiah 3:1 - 1 If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Wouldn't such a land become totally defiled? Islam - Bukhari Volume 7, 63, Number 187:: A man divorced his wife thrice (by expressing his decision to divorce her thrice), then she married another man who also divorced her. The Prophet was asked if she could legally marry the first husband (or not). The Prophet replied, "No, she cannot marry the first husband unless the second husband consummates his marriage with her, just as the first husband had done." God said its DISGUSTING, SICKENING DEFILEMENT, but allah/muhammad tells you its GREAT and encourages you to do it. Do we still think allah is god??? Luke 16:16 - "The law & the prophets were until John".

The above verse means that Muhammad cannot be a prophet.

With all these facts staring in your face, plus the admission of Muhammad to be unable to prophesy nor perform miracles in the q’uran (Sura 17:90-95; 3:183 &: 29:50-51), and the Islamic history of Muhammad committing pedphilia and murders & looting and his admission of speaking for Satan in Ishaq 166, how can you even believe in islam?

Jesus said in - Matthew 16:23 "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Muhammad’s balls shrank - Bukhari, Vol 2, No. 167 "The sun eclipsed and the prophet jumped up terrified that it might be the Hour (of Judgement)"

We are not even comparing religion yet, we are merely pointing out the failed logic in your belief. Why do you even believe in Islam?

Your allah has been proven to be an imposter, and Muhammad has been proven to be a faker. I have nothing against you for wanting to keep a belief which I believe is very sick, but remember this, you are on your own because God is NOT in your religion. And it can be proven. Only thing is, can you open up your mind to face the truth?

http://www.bibleprobe.com/muhammad.htm

http://www.prophetofdoom.net

Answer 4

Go Axia College Online!!! I would look in my notes from this class but too lazy and the other people said basically what I would.

You can get some good information from www.religioustolerance.org

Answer 5

* 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.

Answer 6

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.