Five Pillars of Islam

Shahada

Shahada: Profession of Faith

• Establishes monotheism: “There is no God, but God…”
• Establishes Muhammad as the prophet of God: “...and Muhammad is his prophet…”
• Muslim= submission (surrender) to God
• The Shahada is the first thing whispered into an infant’s ears at birth
• And the last thing a Muslim hears

Salat

Salat: Five Daily Prayer

• Before praying: wudu(ritual washing)
• A Muezzin calls people to pray
• Praise or recitation of the Qur’an
• Pray towards the Ka'bah in Mecca
• In mosques, Men and Women worship in different areas

Zakat

Zakat: Giving to Charity

• Muslims must give 2.5% of their income anually
• Zakat pays for soup kitchens, clothing, school, and shelter
• Zakat purifies wealth
• The Qur’an says that people with wealth need to share
• Reminds people of God’s gifts

Sawm

Sawm: Fasting durring Ramadan

• Helps Muslims empathize with the poor
• Muslims must fast when the sun is up
• Muslims are supposed to forgive people
• At sunset, Muslims read part of the Qur'an
• Eid al-Fitr is the celebration that ends Ramadan

Hajj

Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

• Muslims, who are able, must perform Hajj once their lifetime
• Dress in white cloths to show that they are equal
• Muslims circle the Ka’bah seven times.
• Run between the hills where Hagar found a spring
• Sacrifice an animal to share(Eid al-Fitr)