The Prophet Muhammad, peace
be upon him, said "Islam is built on five pillars".
1.
Ash-Shahadah (the proclamation of faith) which
must be recited by anyone embracing Islam (La ilaha illal-laahu,
Muhammadur Rasoolullah) meaning: (There is none worthy of worship except
Allah, Muhammad is the prophet Muhammad). This means that there is no
deity worthy of being worshipped but Allah, and that He must be worshipped
only according to the teaching of His Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon
him.
2.Salat (prayer), which must be performed five times a
day. The first is Fajr prayer, which may be performed between the break of
dawn and sunrise. The second, Zuhr, just after noon. The third, Asr, is
late afternoon. The fourth, Maghrib, immediately after sunset. The fifth,
Isha, after the sun's redness disappears from the horizon. Prayer,
however, must be preceded with ablution (wudhu) which is washing hands,
face, wiping over the head, washing the forearms and the
feet.
Prayer is one of the greatest pillars of Islam. It is the
first act of worship about which man shall be asked on the Day of
Reckoning.
3.Zakat (the poor-due) is one of the greatest
financial institutions of Islam, literally meaning purification,
indicating that such a payment makes the rest of the Muslim's wealth pure.
Zakat is lelvied annually on certain types of food grain, cattle and cash
possessed for one lunar year to be given out to the poor, the needy and
other specified classes of people.
4. Sawm (fasting) to be
observed during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the muslim lunar
calendar). It begins at daybreak (dawn) and ends immediately after sunset.
During this period eating, drinking and sexual activities with one's wife
are forbidden.
Besides health benefits which one gains through
fasting, it is an act of worship which helps one who observes it attain
piety, humbleness and share the feelings of the bereft and hungry in the
community. Fasting also allows one to be more benevolent and
charitable.
5. Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah, prescribed for
those Muslims who can afford the trip financially and health wise, once in
a lifetime. The Hajj rites take place during 5 days in the lunar month of
Thul Hijjah.
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