The Five Pillars of Faith are duties and responsibilities that are set aside for each Muslim to adhere to as a Muslim’s celebration of discipline for accepting the basic concepts and duties of Islam.
Islam is a religion practiced by Muslims worldwide. It has one of the largest followings alongside its brother religion, Judaism and Christianity. Islam is identified by the Five Pillars of the Islam Faith e.g. Sunnis Islam.
Sunnis Islam: The Five Pillars of Faith
The Five Pillars of Faith are duties and responsibilities that are set aside for each Muslim as a celebration of discipline accepting the basic concepts and duties of Islam. The pillars present the obligatory basic knowledge of Islam. The Quran/Muslim bible presents the pillars of Islam as a guide to worship/expression of Faith.
1. Shahadah (Creed)
The creed is prayerfully chanted (Azaan) in Arabic (Islamic language) committing to Allah the belief and acceptance of Muhammad as the Messenger of God (monotheism).
2. Salat (Daily Prayers)
Salat are the five daily prayers of the Islamic faith namely Fajr (before dawn), Dhuhr (with the sun), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha’a (evening) consisting of different parts. There is compulsory washing/Wudu before Salat is recited facing Kabah (mosque) in Mecca with humility e.g. knelt, one foot under another with toes straight.
3. Fasting during Ramadaan
Ritual, repentance or ascetic fasting is part of the mandatory duties of Muslims from puberty (13yrs. old) onwards during the month of Ramadaan from dawn to dusk. Muslims intend to draw nearer to God. The elderly, ill, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempted.
4. Zakât (Alms Giving)
This is the Islamic tithe and is the responsibility of the wealthier Muslim to alleviate the economic burdens of the less fortunate declared unto Allah. Zakat is proportionate to economic prosperity and is generally 2.5% of the individual wealth.
5. The Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
The Hajj is taken during the Holy month or Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Every healthy and able Muslim has to travel to Mecca at least once in their lives. Pilgrimage etiquette is practiced to display devotion to God/Allah. The Five Pillars of Faith offer basic knowledge on the foundation of the Islamic Faith. It is the order for its worldwide disciplinary practice.
Image: Rashid Al-Din, The Islamic prophet Muhammad solves a dispute over lifting the black stone into position at al-Kaaba, Wikimedia