The Creed Prayer Almsgiving Fasting Pilgrimage The 5 Pillars of Islam The Creed Prayer Almsgiving Fasting Pilgrimage
But first, a very important word needs to be inserted here! Orthopraxy- Correct Practice! What you do makes you a Muslim. Thus the 5 Pillars!
There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet. The Creed (Shahadah) There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet. - This must be done at least once publically in lifetime
Prayer (Salah) Highly regular and ritualized Pray from anywhere 5 times daily (dawn, noon, afternoon, evening and nightfall) Men and women separate Face Mecca Recitation of set prayers Full prostation
Almsgiving (Zakat) Giving Obligation to help those in need Can be money, food, clothes, etc. Give 5-10% of total net worth at end of year. Devout Muslims are encouraged to give above and beyond minimum Collected at Mosque. None goes to Mosque.
Fasting (Sawm) On lunar months: Ramadan (begins with the sighting of the new moon on the last night of the 8th month) Nothing to eat from sunrise to sunset (or drink) Abstinence from sex within marriage Refrain from negative attitudes and complaining Party afterward!
Pilgrimage (Hajj) To Mecca At least once in a lifetime during month of Ramadan and engage in activities there. Stay the whole lunar month Everyone wears white cloth All equal - Malcolm X Story