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The [[Qur'an]] presents them as a framework for worship and a sign of commitment to the faith.
The [[Qur'an]] presents them as a framework for worship and a sign k9dhndhsdunsdundauansdunadusnduansd uasndunduandusnduasndusadsadsdu of commitment to the faith.
They are (1) the [[shahada]] (creed), (2) daily prayers ([[salat]]), (3) fasting during [[Ramadan]] ([[sawm]]), (4) almsgiving ([[zakāt]]), and (5) the pilgrimage to Mecca ([[hajj]]) at least once in a lifetime.<ref name="WSU">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/5PILLARS.HTM |title=arkan ad-din the five pillars of religion |publisher=[[Washington State University]] |location=United States |first=Richard |last=Hooker |date=July 14, 1999|accessdate=2010-11-17}}</ref><ref name="CIA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html |title=Religions |accessdate=2010-08-25 |work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |location=United States |year=2010}}</ref>
They are (1) the [[shahada]] (creed), (2) daily prayers ([[salat]]), (3) fasting during [[Ramadan]] ([[sawm]]), (4) almsgiving ([[zakāt]]), and (5) the pilgrimage to Mecca ([[hajj]]) at least once in a lifetime.<ref name="WSU">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/5PILLARS.HTM |title=arkan ad-din the five pillars of religion |publisher=[[Washington State University]] |location=United States |first=Richard |last=Hooker |date=July 14, 1999|accessdate=2010-11-17}}</ref><ref name="CIA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html |title=Religions |accessdate=2010-08-25 |work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |location=United States |year=2010}}</ref>

Revision as of 23:34, 4 October 2011

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The Five Pillars of Islam (arkān-al-Islām أركان الإسلام; also arkān ad-dīn أركان الدين "pillars of the religion") are five basic acts in Islam, considered obligatory by Sunni Muslims. These are summarized in the famous Hadith of Gabriel.[1][2][3][4]


The Qur'an presents them as a framework for worship and a sign k9dhndhsdunsdundauansdunadusnduansd uasndunduandusnduasndusadsadsdu of commitment to the faith. They are (1) the shahada (creed), (2) daily prayers (salat), (3) fasting during Ramadan (sawm), (4) almsgiving (zakāt), and (5) the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime.[5][6]

The minority Shi'i and majority Sunni both agree on the essential details for the performance of these acts,[7][8] but the Shi'a do not refer to them by the same name (see Theology of Twelvers and Aspects of the Religion for Twelvers and Seven pillars of Ismailism).

The Five Pillars

Shahada

Main article: Shahada

Shahadah is a saying professing monotheism and accepting Muhammad as God's messenger.[9] The shahadah is a set statement normally recited in Arabic: (ašhadu an) lā ilāha illá l-Lāhu (wa ashhadu 'anna) Muḥammadan rasūlu l-Lāhi "(I profess that) there is no god except God and (I profess that) Muhammad is the Messenger of God." Also, it is said that when dying one should recite this declaration of faith. In Azaan (call to prayer) it is recited. When a person wishes to convert religions they should recite this affirmation and believe in it.[10]

Salat

View of the prayer hall of the Mosque of Uqba also called the Great Mosque of Kairouan (in Tunisia); performing the prayer or Salat is one of the five pillars of Islam.[11]
Main article: Salat

Salat is the Islamic prayer. Salat consists of five daily prayers: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha'a. Fajr is performed before the light of dawn, Dhuhr is performed when the sun starts to decline from its zenith, Asr is performed in the afternoon, Maghrib is the sunset prayer, and Isha'a is the evening prayer. Each prayer consists of a certain amount of rakaʿāt. A prayer either consists of two, three, or four rakaʿāt. All of these prayers are recited while facing the Ka'bah in Mecca. Muslims must wash themselves before prayer, this washing is called Wudu. The prayer is accompanied by a series of set positions including; bowing with hands on knees, standing, prostrating and sitting in a special position (not on the heels, nor on the buttocks, with the toes pointing away from Mecca), usually with one foot tucked under the body.

Sawm

Main article: Sawm
Muslims traditionally break their fasts in the month of Ramadan with dates (like those offered by this date seller in Kuwait City), as was the recorded practice (Sunnah) of Muhammad.

Three types of fasting (Sawm) are recognized by the Qur'an: Ritual fasting,[12] fasting as compensation for repentance (both from sura Al-Baqara),[13] and ascetic fasting (from Al-Ahzab).[14][15]

Ritual fasting is an obligatory act during the month of Ramadan.[16] Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk during this month, and are to be especially mindful of other sins.[16] Fasting is necessary for every Muslim that has reached puberty. [17]

The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness to God, to express their gratitude to and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and to remind them of the needy.[18] During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, profane language, gossip and to try to get along with fellow Muslims better. In addition, all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided.[19]

Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory, but is forbidden for several groups for whom it would be very dangerous and excessively problematic. These include pre-pubescent children, those with a medical condition such as diabetes, elderly people, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Observing fasts is not permitted for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is considered acceptable not to fast are those who are ill or traveling. Missing fasts usually must be made up for soon afterward, although the exact requirements vary according to circumstance.[20][21][22][23]

Zakāt

Main article: Zakāt

Zakāt or alms-giving is the practice of charitable giving by Muslims based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all who are able to do so. It is considered to be a personal responsibility for Muslims to ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality.[24] Zakat consists of spending 2.5% of one's wealth for the benefit of the poor or needy, including slaves, debtors and travelers. A Muslim may also donate more as an act of voluntary charity (sadaqah), rather than to achieve additional divine reward.[25] There are two main types of Zakat. First, there is the kajj, which is a fixed amount based on the cost of food that is paid during the month of Ramadan by the head of a family for himself and his dependents. Second, there is the Zakat on wealth, which covers money made in business, savings, income, and so on.[26] In current usage Zakat is treated as a 2.5% collection on most valuables and savings held for a full lunar year, as long as the total value is more than a basic minimum known as nisab (3 ounces (85.05 g)). As of 2 July 2010, nisab is approximately $3,275 or an equivalent amount in any other currency.[27] Many Shi'ites are expected to pay an additional amount in the form of a khums tax, which they consider to be a separate ritual practice.[28]

There are four principles that should be followed when giving the Zakat:

  1. The giver must declare to God his intention to give the Zakat.
  2. The Zakat must be paid on the day that it is due.
  3. Payment must be in kind. This means if one is wealthy then he or she needs to pay 2.5% of their income. If a person does not have much money, then they should compensate for it in different ways, such as good deeds and good behavior toward others.
  4. The Zakat must be distributed in the community from which it was taken.[29]

Hajj

Main article: Hajj
The route the pilgrims take during the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah to the holy city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if he or she can afford it.[30] When the pilgrim is around 10 km (6.2 mi) from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white sheets. Both men and women are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. After a Muslim makes the trip to Mecca, he/she is known as a hajj/hajja (one who made the pilgrimage to Mecca).[31] The main rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina.[31]

The pilgrim, or the haji, is honoured in their community. Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be self-aware and examine their intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This should lead to constant striving for self-improvement.[32] A pilgrimage made at any time other than the Hajj season is called an Umrah, and while not mandatory is strongly recommended. Also, they make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem in their alms giving feast.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Pillars of Islam". Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
  2. ^ "Pillars of Islam". Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. United Kingdom: Oxford University. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  3. ^ "Five Pillars". United Kingdom: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  4. ^ "The Five Pillars of Islam". Canada: University of Calgary. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  5. ^ Hooker, Richard (July 14, 1999). "arkan ad-din the five pillars of religion". United States: Washington State University. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  6. ^ "Religions". The World Factbook. United States: Central Intelligence Agency. 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  7. ^ "The Five Pillars of Islam". United Kingdom: BBC. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  8. ^ Pillars of Islam , Oxford Islamic Studies Online
  9. ^ From the article on the Pillars of Islam in Oxford Islamic Studies Online
  10. ^ Matthew S. Gordon and Martin Palmer, Islam, Infobase Publishing, 2009, page 87
  11. ^ Warren Matthews, World Religions, Cengage Learning, 2008, page 335
  12. ^ Quran 2:183–187
  13. ^ Quran 2:196
  14. ^ Quran 33:35
  15. ^ Fasting, Encyclopedia of the Qur'an (2005)
  16. ^ a b Farah (1994), p.144-145
  17. ^ talhaanjum_9
  18. ^ Esposito (1998), p.90,91
  19. ^ Tabatabaei (2002), p. 211,213
  20. ^ "For whom fasting is mandatory". USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
  21. ^ Quran 2:184
  22. ^ Khan (2006), p. 54
  23. ^ Islam, The New Encyclopedia Britannica (2005)
  24. ^ Ridgeon (2003), p.258
  25. ^ Zakat, Encyclopaedia of Islam Online
  26. ^ Brockopp (2000), p.140; Levy (1957) p.150;
  27. ^ "e-nisab". 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  28. ^ Momen (1987), p.179
  29. ^ Zakat Alms-giving
  30. ^ Farah (1994), p.145-147
  31. ^ a b Hoiberg (2000), p.237–238
  32. ^ Goldschmidt (2005), p.48

References

Books and journals

  • Brockopp, Jonathan (2000). Judaism and Islam in Practice: A Sourcebook. Routledge. ISBN 0415216737. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Esposito, John (1998). Islam: The Straight Path (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195112344.
  • Farah, Caesar (1994). Islam: Beliefs and Observances (5th ed.). Barron's Educational Series. ISBN 978-0812018530.
  • Hedayetullah, Muhammad (2006). Dynamics of Islam: An Exposition. Trafford Publishing. ISBN 978-1553698425.
  • Khan, Arshad (2006). Islam 101: Principles and Practice. Khan Consulting and Publishing, LLC. ISBN 0977283836.
  • Kobeisy, Ahmed Nezar (2004). Counseling American Muslims: Understanding the Faith and Helping the People. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 978-0313324727.
  • Momen, Moojan (1987). An Introduction to Shi`i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi`ism. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0300035315.
  • Levy, Reuben (1957). The Social Structure of Islam. UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521091824.
  • Tabatabae, Mohammad Hosayn (2002). Islamic teachings: An Overview and a Glance at the Life of the Holy Prophet of Islam. Green Gold. ISBN 0-922817-00-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Goldschmidt, Jr., Arthur (2005). A Concise History of the Middle East (8th ed.). Westview Press. ISBN 978-0813342757. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Hoiberg, Dale (2000). Students' Britannica India. Encyclopaedia Britannica (UK) Ltd. ISBN 978-0852297605. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Ridgeon, Lloyd (2003). Major World Religions (1st ed.). RoutledgeCurzon. ISBN 978-0415297967.

Encyclopedias

  • P.J. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Islam Online. Brill Academic Publishers. ISSN 1573-3912. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  • Salamone Frank, ed. (2004). Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-0415941808. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

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