1. 5 Pillars and Islam Wrap Up
Thurs. Jan. 5, 2012
Paulson
Bible

2. Spark Write “5 Pillars” in sparks Get with your groups
Finalize your presentation
Write stuff (key terms, ideas, names) on the board please!!!

3. Agenda Spark Business Items Presentations on 5 Pillars Wrap Up
Review Questions
How are your B.P.’s coming along???
Presentations on 5 Pillars
Wrap Up
Vid. Clip?

4. 5 Pillars – The Essence of Islam
Islam = submission – to God and to the law
Revealed in the Koran and Sunna (Muhammads example)
Central concept not “faith,” or “enlightenment,” but SUBMISSION to sharia
Simplicity in belief, complexity in law
Law can be summed up in 5 pillars

5. 5 pillars 5 groups – First Pillar – p. 192 Second Pillar – p. 195
Third Pillar – p. 197
Fourth Pillar – p. 198
Fifth Pillar – p. 199
Your group needs to:
Read, figure out what it’s all about (history, essence, how to do it, any interesting facts)
Tell us about it: Use the board to write KEY TERMS etc.
Everyone needs to have all filled in the end
Turn in at end of presentations

6. 1st Pillar – Declaration of Faith “Shahada”
“There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.”
Monotheism – contradicts both pagan and Christian beliefs (Jesus IS GOD and MAN)
Koran accuses Christians of believing in 3 gods
Commitment to the example (sunna) of the Prophet
Believe Allah did reveal himself to Jews and Christians but that revelation is obscured
Muhammad is final and authoritative messenger of God

7. 2nd Pillar: Daily Prayer “Salat”
More formal, fixed, communal (can be alone, can be spontaneous too)
5 times/day – dependent on Allah for all
Times and body movements described/lived by Muhammad
Symbolic washing of face, hands, and feet before prayer
Prostrate, facing Mecca
Muezzin – official at Mosque – calls to prayer
Friday afternoon is most important and only designated community prayer time – Imam gives sermon
Men and women worship together but in separate rooms (modesty not segregation)
Concludes with shahada

8. 3rd Pillar: Tax for the Poor “zakat”
Act of worship toeard God and act of kindness towards fellow muslims
Calculated as annual tax of about 2.5% of income and possessions
Saudi Arabia – state monitored and strict
Western countries – voluntary and conscience based
Sharia law states zakat used for
Relief of poor and orphans
Reward for volunteers in jihad-war
Spread of Islam around world
Justice and charity very important in Islam

9. 4th Pillar: Fast of Ramadan “sawm”
Month-long fast during 9th month of lunar calendar (when Muhammad received first revelation)
Praising Allah for his mercy in giving man guidance
Begins when official announces sighting of full moom
Every muslim abstains from food, drink, and sexual activity during DAYLIGHT hours
Fast ends with Feast of the “Breaking of the Fast”
A bit like Christmas – presents, food, joy

10. 5th Pillar: Pilgrimage to Mecca “hajj”
All who are able physically and financially
Consider it a great privilege
Worship where Abraham worshipped
Imitate the example of M the Prophet
2 million people each year to this Saudi Arabian city during 12th month of Islamic year
Lasts 6 days (officially)
Several rituals involved
Worship at Great Mosque
Afternoon on the plain of Arafat
“Stoning the devil”
Feast of Sacrifice
Some make pilgrimage once, others many times

11. Vid Clip
Kids teaching tool from the UK

12. Wrap-Up
Following this law, this sharia, and the example of Muhammad (or sunna) will prepare the believer for Judgment Day when Allah rewards the victorious
5 Pillars – there are other parts to law about alcohol, sex, modesty – but these Pillars are agreed upon by all