1. Islam
Pillars of the Faith

2. Core Concepts of Islam Only one god, Allah
Good and evil exist, and one’s own responsibility to act good
Muhammad’s life, the sunna (SOON-uh), model to follow
Help the umma, the local Muslim community
Follow the teachings of the Qur’an
Written Muhammad’s death
Contained teachings of Muhammad
Only useable version in Arabic
Sunna and Qur’an made shari’a (shah-REE-ah) law
Adhere to the Five Pillars of Islam

3. Five Pillars of Islam
Pilgrimage
Fasting
Alms
Prayer
Faith

4. Pillar One: Faith/Witnessing
Testify and truly believe to the importance of one god, Allah, and Allah’s messenger, Muhammad
Fundamental concept to the religion

5. Pillar Two: Prayer
Must pray five times daily
May assemble at a mosque (Islamic house of worship) to pray, or anywhere
Brings Muslims closer to God

6. Importance of Prayer
Why would prayer be necessary five times per day? What benefits could come from this practice?

7. Pillar Three: Alms/Charity
All Muslims have responsibility to support the less fortunate
Required—not the same as tax for the government

8. Charity Required
What effects could required charity have upon the community? What do we have in our society that is like this today?

9. Pillar Four: Fasting
During Ramadan holy month, no food or drink from sunrise to sunset
Simple meal eaten at the end of the day
Reminds Muslims they have “greater needs than bread”

10. Pillar Five: Pilgrimage
Duty of all Muslims at least once in their lifetime
Done in identical clothes to be equal in the eyes of God
Formerly done over deserts, mountains, seas… Now mostly by airplane

11. What effects does the pilgrimage have on the Muslim community?
Power of Pilgrimage
What effects does the pilgrimage have on the Muslim community?