1. Five Pillars

2. Muslims believe that God spoke directly to Muhammad through an angel, Gabriel. Muhammad then recited all he had heard and these were later recorded and compiled to form the Qur’an. Muslims use this book as a guide for how they should live and what they should believe. Many memorize the entire book and recite from it daily.

3. The Sunnah is the daily practice of the faith. Muhammad provided the ultimate example for how Muslims should live in their daily lives.

4. The Hadith is made up of the traditional accounts of people who saw and interacted with Muhammad. These stories are passed down and used as instruction for Muslims today.

5. Shari’ah is the body of laws written to help Muslims follow the Qur’an. Muslims are still developing this laws today. Shari’ah means “the path to be followed.” These laws emphasize obedience to the Qur’an and respect for others. Five Categories: Forbidden Discouraged Allowed Recommended Obligatory

6. The Shahadah is the Muslim declaration of faith. “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” This emphasizes monotheism, the belief in only one God. It also shows how God is the very center of a Muslim’s life.

7. The Salat is the daily ritual prayer, which Muslims perform five times a day. This emphasizes religious discipline, spirituality and closeness to God. Prayer is so important that Muslims go through a purification process before each prayer session.

8. Zakat means “purification.” The giving of charity purifies wealth teaches selflessness. Muslims give at least 2.5% of their income to: Soup kitchens Clothing Shelter for the poor Stranded Travelers School fees What connections can you make between Muhammad’s life and the emphasis on charity in Islam?

9. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, Muslims fast from sun up to sun down. This teaches self- control and empathy. Muslims believe this is the month in which God revealed his message to Muhammad.

10. Hajj is the special pilgrimage to Makkah. Every Muslim, who is physically able, visits Makkah at least once in their lifetime. This pillar emphasizes fellowship and equality.

11. Jihad means “to strive.” It represents a physical struggle with spiritual significance. Lesser jihad is an external struggle against oppression. Greater jihad is an internal struggle against evil. Muslims believe they should fulfill jihad with the heart, tongue, and hand.