Name:
A Closer Look at the Five Pillars
Pillar Meaning
Profession of the creed:
SHAHADA There is no god but God, and
Muhammad is the messenger
of God (Allah)
Five obligatory prayers at the
SALAT time and in the way taught by
Muhammad
Giving to the poor and those in
ZAKAT need a percentage of wealth
beyond basic needs
Fasting from dawn to sunset
SIYAM during the month of Ramadan
th
(9 lunar month
Making the journey to Makkah
HAJJ to perform the rites during the
pilgrimage season
Block: Notes
Spiritual Worldly Individual Communal Cultural Influences
-There is no central religious authority in Islam,
no theocracy since no one can claim knowledge
One simple message of God over others
Islam forbids worship of
Acknowledges that there universal to time and
idols or images, which -Limitation on the power of worldly authority over
is One Creator, and that Focuses on the individual’s place; reverence for the
also means bowing to Muslim societies;
He has sent messengers direct relationship with God, prophets and earlier
false gods or humans;
and revelation to without any intermediaries scriptures like Bible &
places limits on
humankind Torah; acceptance of Islamic jurisprudence = Islamic law system
materialism
earlier religions developed
-Arabic language of Qur’an spread
--Establishment of masjids (mosques)
--Self-discipline and self- --Binds society together
everywhere groups of Muslims went;
Obedience to God’s renewal woven into life in regular worship and
Physical act and spiritual architecture, decoration and sacred art
command to worship; pattern contact
act joined; healthful
exercise and mental --need to set prayer times led to study of
Regular purification --Opportunity to seek -- Established regular
relaxation astronomy, math, geography to set prayer times
during each day forgiveness and ask God for pattern to daily and
and direction--rise of colleges & universities for
help weekly social life
science and religion
Limitation on greed and
accumulation of wealth Early development of (WAQF) charitable foundations developed as
Constant and
Purification of wealth by charitable institutions and permanent source of funding for mosques,
dependable stream of
giving a portion away--"a foundations; collective schools & colleges, universities, hospitals, wells
charity available to Stimulated both required
loan to God" public works free from and travelers’ accommodations, institutionalized
Muslim society and voluntary additional state control, tax exempt help for the poor
charity
Whole community
participates, visits, --Ramadan is an international celebration all
Fasting is a tradition of Self-discipline & sense of shares food, renews over Muslim world
Fasting is said to
prophets; purpose is achievement; breaking up contact
contribute to health, rid
coming near to God; bad eating habits; God-
the body of poisons --Stimulated math & astronomy for setting lunar
annual renewal of spirit consciousness
--Additional prayers & calendar
Qur’an readings
--Brought people --Contributed to the mobility & connectedness of
--Developed sense of
"Dress rehearsal for together to trade and Muslim society over 14 centuries
Orients Muslims even in individual being accountable
Judgment Day" exchange knowledge
remote places toward a to God
world community; -- Renewed common beliefs and practices,
Standing before God; encourages travel and --Organized huge pilgrim overcoming local traditions
--Gave people the desire to
recalls obedience of communication caravans from each city;
travel, think beyond own
Abraham established roads, wells,
backyard --Increased trade & scholarship
ports for better travel