Five Pillars Of Islam Hum130

Five Pillars Of Islam Hum130

Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam are basically the framework of the Muslim life.   This is put into terms for people who are not of the Muslim faith so they can better understand them.   They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able.
  1.   The Testimony of Faith:
The testimony of faith is saying that there is no true God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.   This means that no one but the true God has a right to be worshiped, and that Muhammad is simply the one who relays the messages that are meant for God.
  2.   Prayer:
Muslims perform five prayers a day.   Each prayer is supposed to be a few minutes each.   Prayer in Islam is a direct communication from the worshiper to God.   They pray at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.   A Muslim may pray wherever he or she is at the moment.
  3.   Giving Zakat (Support of the needy):
The original meaning of the word Zakat is both purification and growth.   Giving Zakat means giving a certain (percentage of money on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.   Muslims are supposed to keep money set aside, and at the end of the year give two and a half percent of their wealth to needy Muslims.   A person may give more if they are able.
  4.   Fasting the month of Ramadan:
Every year in the month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown.   This includes fasting from food, drink, and even sexual relations.   This is considered a way of self purification.   This is supposed to help a person gain true sympathy of those who are hungry or are without luxuries.   Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.   Their calendar is a lunar calendar.   In the year 2011 Ramadan is August 1st through August 29th.  
  5.   The Pilgrimage to Makkah:
The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation for those who are financially and...