Islam: The Five Pillars or Duties of the Muslim

Qur’an, the Center of the Muslim Religion Chanting of the Qur’an is the primary music of Islam. Islam teaches that piety demands memorization/recitation of its texts. Reciting the Qur’an serves as a pledge of discipleship or a statement of one’s faith.

Muhammad’s statements in reference to the Qur’an: –“The best man among you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” –“The most excellent act of worship is the reciting of the Qur’an.” –Translating the Qur’an from Arabic into other languages is viewed as tantamount to profaning sacred scripture. Qur’an, the Center of the Islam Religion

Islam’s Five Pillars (religious duties) The Old Testament (Jewish law) had its various sacrifices, holy days, and obligations to God. Christians are commanded to study God’s word, obey it, and worship Him in a prescribed manner. (e.g. The Lord’s Supper) Islam also has its religious duties…

Regular Verbal Quotation of the Islam Creed (the Shehada) “There is no other god but God; and Muhammad is the prophet of God.” “There is no other god but Allah; and Muhammad is the prophet of God.” –Professing this creed essentially makes one a Muslim - if believed, repeated aloud, and understood. –This comes close to being the Muslim plan of salvation. #1

Ritual Prayer Each Day (the Salat) Muslims are required to pray 5 times daily - dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, evening, and night. Before they participate in public prayers, they must ritually cleanse themselves. – Wash their foreheads, hands, and feet before prayer – If no water is available—they are to use fine sand. – Prayers are to be offered kneeling on a rug or mat—a symbol that the area has been purified for prayer. – Shoes or sandals are to be removed before prayer. – To face Mecca when praying. #2

Pay Religious Tax (THE Zakat) This is a 2.5 per cent (1/40 th ) tax on income now generally collected by the government in Islamic countries (cf. freewill offerings). It is used for: caring for the poor, wayfarers, captives, and tax collectors; and in the cause of God. The latter category allows funds to be used for the general welfare of the community, for education, for public works, and for the defense of Islam and the Muslim community. #3

Keep a Required Fast (THE Siyam) Most of us have heard of Ramadan - the ninth month of the Islamic lunar year. During Ramadan, Muslims are to abstain from food, drink, and sexual activity during the daylight hours. Their literature, however, speaks of joyful and celebratory eating after sunset on those days. (cf. Catholic fasting; “Fat Tuesday” = Mardi Gras) Those who faithfully keep this fast are assured of forgiveness for their sins. #4

Make a Pilgrimage (The Hajj) Each Muslim must make a pilgrimage (trip) to the holy shrine of Ka’ba in Mecca - generally at least one time during his lifetime. The pilgrimage must be made from the 7 th to 10 th day of the 12th month on the Islamic calendar. #5