Major Beliefs of Islam The Five Pillars of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam Profession of Faith: (shahada) there is no god but God (Allah in Arabic) and Mohammed is his prophet Prayer: (salat) five times daily, facing Mecca Charity: (zakat - alms) requires all Muslims to share their wealth and support the indigent, orphans and the needy Fast during the month of Ramadan: fast from sunrise to sunset during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; Ramadan is a time of introspection and rededication to God Pilgrimage to Mecca: (hajj) all Muslims are required to make the trip at least once in their lifetime; reaffirmation of spiritual values and the worldwide unity of the Muslim community

Basic Tenets or Sources Koran (Qur’an): the sacred book of Islam considered to be the word of Allah as revealed to Mohammed the final authority on all subjects and the basis of Islam for a long time only written in Arabic (which became the universal language of Islam) Hadith (saying): records of the actions, sayings and opinions of the Prophet Mohammed concerning all aspects of life Shariah (the path): Islamic legal code as developed over centuries by Muslim scholars from the Qur’an and the Hadith (interpretations)