CCSS2 Unit 5: reading on the 5 Pillars of Islam

The five pillars of Islam

The five pillars of Islam are the foundations of Muslim life and are: faith, prayer, the zakat

or alms-giving (concern for people in need), fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca, for those

who can make the journey.

1. Faith

“There is no divinity greater than God, and Mohammed, with whom peace and God’s

blessing rest, as he is God’s messenger”.

This testimony of faith is called SHAHADA, a simple formula which all believers pronounce.

In Arabic, the first part says La ilaha Illa Llah which translates as “There is no divinity

greater than God”; Ilaha (divinity or god in lower case letters) refers to anything which we

may feel tempted to replace God with, for example, wealth or power. After this comes Illa

Llah “only God”, the source of all creation.

The second part of the SHAHADA says Muhammadun rasalu Llah which means

“Mohammad is God’s messenger”. This message of guidance came from a normal

person, like us.

2. Prayer

SALAT is the name given to the compulsory prayers which are said five times a day

and are a direct link between the believer and God. There is no hierarchical authority

in the world of Islam, no equivalent of priests or bishops, and so, prayers are led by a

learned person who knows the teachings of the Qur’an. This person is elected by the local

community. These five prayers contain verses of the Qur’an and are said in Arabic, the

language of the Revelation. God may also be addressed in personalised prayers in the

language of the believer.

Prayers are said at dawn, midday, in the afternoon, at sunset and night-time. The prayers

mark the rhythm of the day. Although it is preferable to say prayers in the Mosque, a

Muslim may say them in any place, in the country, in the office, in a factory or at university.

Persons visiting Arabic countries are often surprised at the importance that prayer has in

everyday life.

3. El Zakat (Alms-giving)

One of the most important principles of Islam is that everything belongs to God and so,

a person’s wealth is only temporary. The word “ZAKAT” means both “purification” and

“growth”. Our possessions are purified by giving a part to people in need; in the same way

we prune trees, this cutting of wealth brings balance and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates their own SAKAT individually and it consists of an annual payment

of two and a half percent of each person’s income.

A pious person can also give as much as they wish by a donation called a SADAQA, and

does this preferably in secret. This word is often translated as “voluntary charity” but it also

has more meanings.

4. Fasting

Each year, during the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from daybreak to sunset,

abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual relations.

Sick people, the elderly, those who are travelling abroad and pregnant women, or women

who have to breastfeed their babies have permission to break the fast and make up an

equal number of days during the rest of the year. If they cannot do this for any reason,65

they must provide a person in need with food for each day that they did not complete their

fast. Children normally begin to fast (and pray regularly) following puberty, though many

begin before,

Although fasting is very beneficial for a person’s health, it is considered principally as a

way of purification. The person who fasts, through not consuming simple and mundane

pleasures for a short period of time, has more compassion for people who suffer from

hunger, at the same time their spiritual life becomes more profound.

5. The pilgrimage (Hajj)

The yearly pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, the Hajj, is an obligation only for those

who are able to make the trip financially and physically. Despite this exception, almost

two million people travel to Mecca every year from all corners of the globe, and it is a

unique opportunity to meet people from different nations. Although Mecca is always full of

visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar (which is lunar

and not solar, and therefore both the Hajj and Ramadan may fall in summer or winter).

Pilgrims must wear special clothing within 10 kilometres of Mecca; two white sheets which

symbolise leaving differences of class, wealth and culture to one side and showng that all

are equal before God.

The basic rituals of the Hajj include walking around the Ka’ba seven times, touching the

Black Stone and travelling seven times also between the Mount Safah and Mount Marwah.

The pilgrims come together on the wide sands of Arafa and pray together asking God for

forgiveness, in what is sometimes seen as an early version of the Final Judgement.

The end of the Hajj pilgrimage is celebrated in all Muslim communities all over the world

with a celebration called the Eid-al-Adha, in which people pray and exchange gifts. This

celebration and the Eid-al-Fitr, the day which commemorates the end of Ramadan, are

the two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Look for the following terms in the text and explain them in your own words: Shahada,

Salat, Sakat and Hajj.

2.What does the fast which Muslims perform in Ramadan consist of?

3. Why is a person’s wealth considered to be only temporary in Islam?

4. How much is the SAKAT?

5. What must a Muslim do if he is unable to perform the fast at Ramadan and does not make up for it at another time of the year?

6. Why do they fast?

7. Why do Muslims all wear white sheets when approaching Mecca?