Islam: The Basic Tenets

The Five Pillars

Belief Worship Charitable Giving Fasting The Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Belief (Shahada)

"I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger."

Must be recited in daily prayer Core belief of Muslims Can you think of anything similar in

Christianity?

Worship/Prayer (Salat)

Prayer five time a day Must always face the Kaaba in Mecca Must wash before praying Rotation through a series of positions

Charity (Zakat)

All who are able must give

- at least 2.5% of wealth

- does not always mean money

- for benefit of poor and needy Duty of Muslims to ease the suffering of others Must be given to their community

Fasting (Sawm)

Must fast during the month of Ramadan

- elderly, children, those with diabetes, pregnant/breastfeeding, or women who are menstruating are excused

Not allowed to eat from dawn to dusk Makes you more mindful of God and atone for

sins

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Must be made at least once The Hajj occurs during the same month every

year A number of symbolic rituals

- Ex:

- Walking around the Kaba 7 times

- Symbolically stoning the devil Dates back to the time of Abraham

Variations

Twelver Shia Muslims maintain five other practices along with the pillars

- called the “ancillaries of faith”

- Imams are descendents of Muhammad Ismailis have different pillars (seven of them) Debate over adding a sixth pillar