The Five Pillars of Islam The foundation of

The Five Pillars of Islam The foundation of Muslim life

Pillar 1: Faith or Shahada • The Muslims believe there is only 1 god, named Allah. • Muslims believe that Mohammed is the messenger of God.

Pillar 2: Prayer or Salat • Muslims pray 5 times a day. • Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall. • When praying, Muslims turn their bodies so they are facing towards Mecca, Saudi Arabia. If in Mecca, they face the Kaaba. • The Qiblah is the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays, usually marked by a niche in a wall or mihrab.

Pillar 3: Tax or Zakat • Muslims are required to give a certain percentage of their extra earnings to charity. • Muslims believe that giving to others purifies their own wealth, increases its value, and causes one to recognize that everything we have is a trust from God. • It’s usually 2. 5% of your extra earnings.

Pillar 4: Fasting or Sawm • During the month of Ramadan (a religious celebration), Muslims will fast (abstain from food and drink) from dawn until sun down. • This is done to express gratitude to God • The festival that ends the month is called Eid al-Fitr • Ramadan is said to be the time when the Koran (Muslim holy book) was revealed to Mohammed. • Takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Pillar 5: Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia or Hajj • Every able-bodied Muslim is required to make the Hajj to Mecca once in their lifetime if they can afford it. • This takes place during the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. • Pilgrims wear special clothes. They are simple so that all stand equal before Allah.

Pillar 5: Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia or Hajj • Pilgrims must go around the Kaaba (sacred house) 7 times, and go seven times between the hills of Sarfa and Marwa (1. 3 miles in total) • They then stand together on the plains of Arafat and join in prayer for Allah’s forgiveness. • Finally, the pilgrimage ends with a festival, Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts.

-Prayer 5 X a day; at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset, & evening -Facing Mecca

-Giving $$ to the poor -2. 5% of pay; 1 X a year

-no eating or drinking from dawn until dusk for an entire month -Ramadan 2013: July 8 to August 7 Ramadan is a time for Muslims to ask forgiveness, pray for direction for the future, pray for help to avoid everyday troubles, and cleanse the self of sins, troubles, etc.

Video Links A quick and cute video on the Five Pillars http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ik. VGwz. Vg 48 c A very quick video on the Five Pillars http: //kids. britannica. com/elementary/art-72105/The-fivepillars-of-Islam? &article. Type. Id=38 A quirky song • http: //teachertube. com/view. Video. php? title=Song_ over_Middle_East&video_id=158484 • A view inside a mosque http: //www. 360 tr. net/kudus/mescidiaksa_eng/index. ht ml