Fundamentals of the MUSLIM Faith  The five “pillars” of Islam

Faith  Shahada is a declaration of faith and trust that professes that there is only one God (Allah) and that Muhammad is God's messenger "There is no god but God (and) Muhammad is the messenger of God." It is essential to utter it to become a Muslim and to convert to Islam. ShahadaGodAllahMuhammad

Prayer  Salat ( ṣ alāh) is the Islamic prayer. Salat consists of five daily prayers: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), ʿ A ṣ r (afternoon), Maghrib (evening), and ʿ Ishā ʾ (night). All of these prayers are recited while facing in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Muslims must wash before prayer. The prayer is accompanied by a series of set positions including; bowing with hands on knees, standing, prostrating and sitting in a special position (not on the heels, nor on the buttocks) SalatFajrDhuhr ʿ A ṣ rMaghrib ʿ Ishā ʾKaabaMecca

Give to the Poor  Zakāt or alms-giving is the practice of charitable giving based on accumulated wealth.. The principle of knowing that all things belong to God is essential to purification and growth. Zakāt is obligatory for all Muslims who are able to do so. It is the personal responsibility of each Muslim to ease the economic hardship of others and to strive towards eliminating inequality Zakātalms-giving

Fasting #1  Three types of fasting (Siyam): Ritual fasting, [ fasting as compensation for and ascetic fastingSiyam  Ritual fasting is obligatory during the month of Ramadan. Muslims must abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk, and are to be especially mindful of other sins. Fasting is necessary for every Muslim that has reached puberty (with exceptions for medical conditions). Ramadan  The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness and to look for forgiveness from God, to express their gratitude to and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and to remind them of the needy

Fasting #2  During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, profane language, gossip and to try to get along with fellow Muslims better. In addition, all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided

Anything ring a bell?  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Eph 4:31  Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Col 3:5

Pilgrimage  The Hajj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah to Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once. When the pilgrim gets close to Mecca, he/she must dress in Ihram clothing. After a Muslim makes the trip to Mecca, he/she is known as a hajj/hajja The main rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba termed Tawaf, touching the Black Stone termed Istilam, traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah termed Sa'yee, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina termed Ramee.Hajjpilgrimage Islamic monthDhu al-Hijjah Ihram clothinghajj/hajjaTawaf Black StoneMount Safa and Mount MarwahSa'yeestoning the DevilMina

Pilgrim of the Hajj  The pilgrim, or the hajj, is honored in the Muslim community. Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be self-aware and examine their intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This should lead to constant striving for self-improvement.pilgrim

Sensitivity Note  Calling all people in an Islamic country a “Haji” can be considered demeaning  “Krauts”  “Gooks”  “Wetbacks”  If you are trying to reach someone of a particular background – it doesn’t help if you start by insulting them

Sticking Point  Three-in-One  Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, but that Muhammad was the greater prophet  Stating that Jesus was the Son of God is blasphemy to a Muslim  Yet, if they read the words of Christ, who acknowledges that He IS the Son of God, how can they both claim that he was a prophet AND guilty of blasphemy?

No Assurance  A Muslim has no assurance of salvation  It is a works-based religion  The “good Muslim” must try to follow the rules and seek self improvement, but never knows if he/she has measured up