A simply structured faith that relies on the unreserved submission to God’s will as set forth in the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, transmitted via the teachings of his revered messenger Muhammad (AD 570-632), the Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of sound Muslim living. A testament of faith, prayer, giving alms to the needy, (Zakat), fasting during the month of Ramadan and undertaking a pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able; these parameters essentially define what it means to be a Muslim.

The Testimony of Faith: Iman or Faith

“La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” This profession of faith means “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” Called the Shahadah, this basic formula represents what all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and that this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the last Prophet, Muhammad. 

Prayer: Salah or Prayer

Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times daily, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. As there is no hierarchical authority in Islam and no priests prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur’an and is generally chosen by the congregation.

Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, thereby determining the rhythm throughout the day. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur’an, spoken in Arabic, the language of Muhammad’s Revelation. Personal supplications, however, can be offered in any language at any time. 

Giving Zakat (Supporting the needy)

As everything belongs to God, wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust and should be disbursed equitably. Its original meaning indicates both ‘purification’ and ‘growth.’ An elightened practice that institutionalizes the practice of generosity, the root of giving Zakat prescribes means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.’ The percentage which is due on gold, silver and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for one lunar year, is two and a half percent. Through Zakat, possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Additionally, anyone can give as much as they wish as voluntary alms or charity. 

Fasting the Month of Ramadan: Sawm or Fasting

Regarded principally as a method for self purification, during the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown; also abstaining from sexual relations. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts on a yearly basis - even if for a short time - a fasting person gains spiritual advancement as well as genuine sympathy with those who go hungry. Those who are sick, elderly, travelling, and women menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin to fast and observe prayers from puberty, although many begin sooner.

If properly carried out, this method of self control is not only good for health, but allows people to cut off from worldly comforts in order to focus on the purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God. God states in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint.” (Qur’an 2:183)

Islamic tradition of breaking fast with dates in the month of Ramadan. It is also Sunnah - preaching of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H)

The Pilgrimage to Makkah: Hajj or Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage to Makkah (the hajj) is mandatory only for those who are physically and financially able. Nevertheless, over two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe, providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to congregate in a unified spirit of faith.

The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year - which is lunar, not solar - so that hajj and Ramadan sometimes fall in summer, sometimes in winter. Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. 

Muslim pilgrims performing Tawaf (Circulations around the Holy Kabah in Makkah); A ritual of Hajj.

The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the Ka’bah seven times (The Ka’bah is the place of worship which God commanded the Prophets Abraham and his son, Ishmael, to build.) It also means going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajir, Abraham’s wife) during her search for water. Later, pilgrims stand together on the plains of ‘Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) joining in prayer for God’s forgiveness, in what is often considered as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

The culmination of the hajj is marked by a festival, the ‘Id al Adha, celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in all Muslim communities. Added to the ‘Id al Fitr, a festival celebrating the end of Ramada-n, these are the two principal holidays of the Islamic calendar.

Zakat - 3rd pillar of Islam, Charity, is manifested by donating any type of grain, money or food to the less fortunate ones.