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Hum/130

The Five Pillars of Islam

9/16/2011

The Islamic faith is centered around peace and humanity.   Muslims believe that the human race should help each other, give to the poor, treat the sick, spread God’s word.   Islam is not just a religion it is a way of life.   It is different from other religions because the practice of Islam is so simple.   A Muslim’s duties are stated clearly in five rules or duties also known as The Five Pillars; Belief (Iman), Worship (Salat), Fasting (Sawm), Almsgiving (Zakat) and Pilgrimage (Hajj).
The Five Pillars are the primary obligations or pillars of faith, that each Muslim must fulfill in his or her lifetime.   The First Pillar is Iman or the belief that there is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.   Muslims must accept and give their total commitment to Islam.
The second Pillar is Salah or prayer.   Islamic faith dictates that individuals have a direct relationship with God.   Muslims offer five prayers to God everyday; at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening.   Salah can be done anywhere, but it is encouraged that Muslims perform Salah in a Mosque.   ("The Five Pillars Of Islam ", 2011)
The third Pillar is Sawm or Fasting which happens during the Holy month of Ramadan.   According to the website Royal Ambassador, fasting is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God.   It is an exercise in self-control whereby one’s sensitivity is heightened to the suffering of the poor.   Ramadan is the month that the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, it begins with the sighting of the new moon, after which the fasting from eating, drinking, and other sensual pleasures.   The end of Ramadan is observed by three day celebration called Eid Al-Fitr, with a feast of breaking of the fast.   ("The Five Pillars Of Islam ", 2011)
Almsgiving or Zakat is the fourth Pillar.   According to the Islamic religion each person has a social responsibility to help each other.   Each...