Pillars of Islamic Practice

1
Pillars of Islamic Practice

• SCTR 19 - Religions of the Book
• Prepared by Sean Hind

2
What are the Five Pillars?

• Main Religious Practices of Sunnis
• Profession of Faith
• Ritual Prayer
• Almsgiving
• Fastingduring Ramadan
• Pilgrimageto Makka
• Described esp. in Quran 2142-152, 183-203,
  261-281

3
Shahada

• Declaration of Faith
• There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is
  his prophet.
• Not directly from Quran, 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)
• Shiite Muslims add Ali is the Friend of God

4
Salat

• Ritual Prayer or Worship
• Performed 5x daily by Sunnis, 3x by Shiites
• Muezzein cries out the Adhan (Call to Prayer)
• Ritual washings performed before prayer
• Prescribed body movements during prayer
• Prayer facing the Kabah in Makka (Quran
  2142-152)
• Can be done alone or with others (esp. in mosque)
• Friday Midday prayers men required to attend

5
Zakat

• Giving Alms to the Poor
• 2.5 of capital assets, annually
• Seen as Purification of wealth
• Formerly collected as a tax in Muslim countries
• Now usually up to individuals
• Reminds people that ultimately,everything
  belongs to God
• See Quran 2261-281 1071-7

6
Sawm

• Fasting during Ramadan
• Considered holiest month of Islamic year
• No food, drink, smoke, sex during daylight hours
• Mandated by Quran (e.g. Surah 2183-188)
• 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)

7
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 Quran 2196-203)
• 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)

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Review

• The Five Pillars
• See esp. Quran 2142-152, 183-203, 261-281
• Shahada Declaration of Faith
• Salat Ritual Prayer or Worship
• Zakat Giving alms to the poor
• Sawm Fasting during Ramadan
• Hajj Pilgrimage to Makka
• A Sixth Pillar (for some Muslims, esp. Shiites)
• Jihad Struggle or Exertion for the Faith

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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 Quran 2190-193