Propped Up
"What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?"
"The Belief in One God
Fasting
Zakat
Hajj
Prayer"
The Pillars are like a framework for a Muslim's life. These are five basic guidelines that should never be neglected, and Ramadan is a chance to remind oneself to attend to them more.
This is what each one means:
1. The Belief in One God. This Pillar is also called the Testimony of Faith, or shahada. If a person wants to become a Muslim, this is how it's done. Simply saying with conviction the phrase, "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadar rasoolu Allah", means conversion has happened. It can be translated as, "There is no true god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God". This is the very foundation of Islam.
2. Fasting. This refers to the month of Ramadan, specifically the daylight hours. Its purpose is to bring people closer to Allah.
3. Zakat. Support of the needy is the principle of this Pillar. Muslims believe that all things are truly owned by God and therefore are held by human beings in trust. A percentage of one's income and wealth is to be donated to those who are poor. In some countries, this is collected as a state-imposed welfare tax administered by a ministry of religious affairs. People are encouraged to give generously and Ramadan is a time to dig a little deeper for charity. Zakat doesn't only have to be money. It can also be given in more tangible ways, such as providing food. Often at Ramadan large tents will be set up in the city where anyone can come and have a free meal after sunset.
4. Hajj. The annual pilgrimmage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every Muslim is expected to do at least once in his life.
5. Prayer. Five times a day a Muslim must attend to prayers, or salat. Praying can be done anywhere, for the most part, but on Friday it's customary to go the mosque to pray. Thoughts and voice alone are not sufficient; there is a sequence of body postures that accompany prayer. This kneeling and bowing expresses a person's humility and Allah's sovereignty.
This is the basis of Islam. As with most things in life, people tend to make it hopelessly more complicated!
"The Belief in One God
Fasting
Zakat
Hajj
Prayer"
The Pillars are like a framework for a Muslim's life. These are five basic guidelines that should never be neglected, and Ramadan is a chance to remind oneself to attend to them more.
This is what each one means:
1. The Belief in One God. This Pillar is also called the Testimony of Faith, or shahada. If a person wants to become a Muslim, this is how it's done. Simply saying with conviction the phrase, "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadar rasoolu Allah", means conversion has happened. It can be translated as, "There is no true god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God". This is the very foundation of Islam.
2. Fasting. This refers to the month of Ramadan, specifically the daylight hours. Its purpose is to bring people closer to Allah.
3. Zakat. Support of the needy is the principle of this Pillar. Muslims believe that all things are truly owned by God and therefore are held by human beings in trust. A percentage of one's income and wealth is to be donated to those who are poor. In some countries, this is collected as a state-imposed welfare tax administered by a ministry of religious affairs. People are encouraged to give generously and Ramadan is a time to dig a little deeper for charity. Zakat doesn't only have to be money. It can also be given in more tangible ways, such as providing food. Often at Ramadan large tents will be set up in the city where anyone can come and have a free meal after sunset.
4. Hajj. The annual pilgrimmage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every Muslim is expected to do at least once in his life.
5. Prayer. Five times a day a Muslim must attend to prayers, or salat. Praying can be done anywhere, for the most part, but on Friday it's customary to go the mosque to pray. Thoughts and voice alone are not sufficient; there is a sequence of body postures that accompany prayer. This kneeling and bowing expresses a person's humility and Allah's sovereignty.
This is the basis of Islam. As with most things in life, people tend to make it hopelessly more complicated!
posted by Trevor at 12:13 p.m.
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