Five Pillars of Islam
236
Beliefs & Practices of Islam
How does carrying out the Five Pillars and other laws of Islam
affect the daily lives of Muslims?
• Muslims do not separate their personal life from their religious life.
• Carrying out the Five Pillars daily as well as other customs ensures
that Muslims live their faith
while serving in the community.
A Muslim woman wears a hijab.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
*NOTES*
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
WHAT IS A PILLAR??? IMPORTANT BELIEFS & VALUES
1. There is
no god but
ALLAH who
spoke
through the
prophet
Mohammed
2. Pray
five
times a
day
3. Give
to the
poor
4. Fast
during the
holy month
of
Ramadan
5. Visit
Mecca at
least one
in your
lifetime
(HAJJ)
MUSLIMS DO NOT GAMBLE, DRINK ALCOHOL OR EAT PORK
First Pillar
Shahadah
The Shahadah
is the first pillar of Islam
Muslims testify (say):
‫ال اله اال هللا‬
‫محد رسول هللا‬
”There is no true God but Allaah and Muhammad is the true
Messenger of Allaah.”
This testimony is the key to Paradise*
*The Testimony of Tawheed
What Does It Mean?
Dr. Saleh As Saleh/9/4/2004
“Muhammad is not the
father of any of your men
but (he is) the Apostle of
Allah and the Seal of the
Prophets: and Allah has full
knowledge of all things.”
(The Holy Quran, The Confederates, verse 40)
Shahada
Declaration of Faith:
• “There is no god but Allah,
and Muhammad is his prophet.”
• Not directly from Qur’an, but combo (e.g. Surah 49)
• Sincere profession without coercion is
the only “initiation” into the Islamic faith
• Recited frequently, publicly and privately
• Part of the Adhan (5x daily “Call to Prayer”)
• Shi’ite Muslims add “Ali is the Friend of God”
Faith - Shahadah
Faith
The Shahadah is the
first pillar of Islam. It
is a declaration of faith
spoken by all Muslims.
The Shahadah must be
spoken publicly before
a person can be
considered a Muslim.
The Qur’an states that
the Shahadah must be
“spoken by the tongue
and with the full assent
of the heart”. This
means that is not
simply enough to speak
these words; you must
also believe them.
It is the first thing
that is said into a
baby’s ear.
There is no God worthy of
worship except Allah, and
Muhammad is His
Messenger [or Prophet].
Profession of Faith (shahadah)
How does Allah relate to the God
of Christians and Jews?
Christians, Jews and Muslims
worship the same God.
Profession of Faith (shahadah)
Muslims believe that angels do Allah’s work
throughout the universe.
Judgment is that some people will go to
“paradise” while others will not.
Second Pillar
Salat
Second Pillar
2. PRAYER
Salat is the name for the
obligatory prayers which
are performed Five times a
day at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset and
nightfall.
The Salat
 The call to prayer by the
muezzin in the minaret.

Pray in the mosque on Friday.
2
Daily Worship (salat)
What do beads, rugs, mosques, the qibla,
muezzins, and imams how to do with
worship?
• Prayer beads are used to recite God’s
characteristics
• Rugs are for kneeling on
• Mosques are the place to gather for prayer
• Qibla shows the direction of Makkah
• Muezzins call others to prayer
• Imams are prayer leaders
Muslim Prayer
Second Pillar
5:7 O ye who believe! when
ye prepare for prayer, wash
your faces, and your hands
(and arms) to the elbows; rub
your heads (with water); and
(wash) your feet to the ankles.
•There are rituals that Muslims must perform before prayer.
• This (Al Wudu') is the cleaning of the hands, mouth, and face
three times with running water, then the washing of both
arms to the elbows (starting with the right), also three times.
•This is followed by cleaning the ears and behind the ears,
followed by the top of the head, and then both feet.
•The area where the prayer is taking place must also be clean.
• Muslims recite from the Koran and also perform personal
prayers.
• Muslims must stand erect, head down, hands at sides and
feet evenly spaced.
•They must also be sure their rug is facing in the direction of
the holy city of Mecca.
• Prayer is taken seriously and most Muslims devout
themselves to this second pillar of Islam.
•
The Mosque
 The Muslim place of worship.
Second Pillar
MIHRAB
Every mosque
contains a mihrab
(prayer niche) which
shows the direction
of the Kaaba (the
qibla) from that
place.
Third Pillar
Zakat
3. The Zakat
 Almsgiving (charitable
donations).

Muslims believe that all things
belong to God.

Zakat means both “purification”
and “growth.”

About 2.5% of your income.
3
#3 Almsgiving (zakat)
• Muslims are charitable because
they believe that wealth is
purified by giving some of it away.
• Sharing your “wealth” helps to
control greed
• Giving to others reminds people of
God’s gifts to oneself.
Almsgiving (zakat)
• Muslims are asked to give 1/40 of their
surplus wealth and possessions.
• Zakat pays to orphanages, hospitals, soups
kitchens, and provides clothing and shelter
for the poor.
• Also zakat pays debts for the poor and helps
stranded travelers.
• Jews, Christians and Muslims are all
encouraged to give a portion of their wealth
to support others.
Pillar 3: ZAKAH
Each year, Muslims are supposed to give a
some of their savings for charity such
as helping the poor. In this way, they
believe that their wealth is “made pure”
Third Pillar
This 2.5% is calculated and given by the
individual to the charity of his/her
choice.
19:55. He enjoined upon his people
worship and almsgiving, and was
acceptable in the sight of his Lord.
(MP)
“Alms are for the poor and the needy and
those employed to administer (the funds):
for those whose hearts have been
reconciled (to Truth);
for those in bondage and in debt; in the
cause of ALLAH;
and for the wayfarer:
(thus it is) ordained by ALLAH. And
ALLAH is full of knowledge and
wisdom.”
(The Holy Quran, The Repentance, verse 60)
Fourth Pillar
Sawm
Fourth Pillar
4. FASTING FOR ONE MONTH
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast
from first light until sundown, abstaining from food,
drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick,
elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant
or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up
an equal number of days later in the year.
Fasting - Sawm
Sawm is the fourth pillar of
Islam. It means fasting. When
fasting, Muslims do not eat, drink
or have sex.
Muslims practise Sawm by fasting
every year in the month of
Ramadan. During Ramadan,
Muslims fast from dawn until
sunset.
By practising Sawm, a Muslim
develops sympathy for suffering.
It also demonstrates discipline
and obedience to Allah.
Muslims do not have to fast if
they are under 12, too old,
pregnant, breastfeeding,
travelling or sick.
Sawm
Fasting during Ramadan
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Considered holiest month of Islamic year
No food, drink, smoke, sex during daylight hours
Mandated by Qur’an (e.g. Surah 2:183-188)
Exceptions: children, elderly, sick, pregnant
For spiritual and physical cleansing/renewal
Consequences of not fasting?
Meals after sunset: Iftar (“breaking the fast”)
• Ends with Eid al-Fitr (“Feast of Breaking the Fast”)
Fifth Pillar
Hajj
Fifth Pillar
5. PILGRIMAGE (Hajj)
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca — the Hajj —
is an obligation only for those who are
physically and financially able to perform it.
The annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of
the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so
that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in
summer, sometimes in winter).
Muslims circling around the
sacred Ka`aba in Mecca,
climax of the hajj pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage (hajj)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The hajj promotes fellowship and equality.
Muslims wear simple white clothing on this special
journey.
The Ka’ba is a shrine built by Abraham to honor God.
During the hajj, Muslims also travel along a special
passage between two small hills, as Hagar (wife of
Abraham) did when she searched for water for her
son.
Muslims camp in tents at Mina, pray at the plain of
Arafat, and some climb Mount Arafat.
Before returning home Muslims will circle the Ka’ba
seven more times. (remember picture of people
circling the stone)
Hajj
Pilgrimage to Makka
• Held annually, during 12th month (Dhu'l-Hijja)
• Participation required once in lifetime, if possible
(unless physically or financially unable; see Qur’an 2:196-203)
• Ca. 2 – 3 million pilgrims attend each year
• Simple garments are worn, stressing equality
• Several rituals take place during 3-4 days
• Culminates with Eid al-Adha (“Feast of the Sacrifice”)
Pilgrims On
The Road to
And Camped
Outside of
Makkah
P
i
l
VISITING MECCA TODAY
Fifth Pillar
The Hajj takes
place entirely in
Mecca and the
surrounding
area
Mecca
Mosque
Kaaba
The Kaaba is a
cube-shaped
building about 5
stories high.
1
Pilgrims start with 7
circumambulations of the
Kaaba, counter-clockwise.
Al-Marwah
Next they must run 7
times between AsSafa and Al-Marwah.
2
As-Safa
2
Mina
3
3rd stage is to travel to Mina where
they stay overnight.
4
Plain of Arafat
4th Stage is on to the Plain of
Arafat for all day prayer.
4
Plain of Arafat
4th Stage is on to
the Plain of Arafat
for all day prayer.
Mt. Of Mercy
Muzdalifah
5
5th Stage – travel from the Plain
of Arafat to Muzdalifah to spend
the night.
Mina
6
6th Stage – On to Mina to throw
stones at the pillars and
sacrifice an animal.
6th Stage – On to Mina to throw stones at the
pillars and sacrifice an animal.
6
THREE
PILLARS
Stoning the Devil
Mecca
Mosque
7
7th Stage – Return to Mecca
and complete 7 more circuits
of the Kaaba.
7
7th Stage – Return to Mecca
and complete 7 more circuits
of the Kaaba.
Other Islamic Practices
Other Islamic Religious
Practices
 Up to four wives allowed at once.

No alcohol or pork.

No gambling.

Sharia  body of Islamic law to
regulate daily living.

Three holiest cities in Islam:
* Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.
Jihad
“Struggle or exertion” for the cause of faith
• Should not be translated “Holy War”
• Both internal (personal) and external (political)
• Internal jihad more important than external jihad,
in the opinion of most moderate Muslims
• Concept is accepted by all Muslims,
but not considered a “pillar” by all
• See Qur’an 2:190-193