Five Pillars of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

The central beliefs of Islam revolve around Allah (god . Allah is the sole authority , and it is specified that it is not Muhammad , as some have been known to believe . Muslims do however , view Muhammad 's life story important and his character is considered a model of teachings in the Qur 'an . Islam is Arabic for peace , purity , acceptance , and commitment . This religion calls for faithfulness to the teachings and guidance of Allah . A Muslim is one who willingly accepts the supreme power of Allah and strives to

organize his life in full accord with his teachings . Muslims also work in building social institutions that reflect the guidance of Allah

When an infant is born , a chant called the Shahadah ( There is no god but God , and Muhammad is the messenger of God ) is chanted . This is the first thing the infant hears when it reaches the world . Another belief is the two major human sins involving one 's relationship with Allah . One is called shirk , meaning association with anything else with divinity except the one god . Muslims are not to worship anything but god , not natural forces , mountains , stones , incarnations of god , lesser deities human rulers , or idol worshiping . They can only adore Allah . The second major human sin is kufur meaning ungratefulness to god and not believing in Allah . Muslims also believe that our senses do not reveal all reality . They believe in the angels of Allah . These non-physical beings of light serve and praise Allah constantly . There is a non-submissive being called Satan that was originally one of the jinn . They believe all humans will be bodily resurrected and brought together for a final accounting of their deeds

Muslims follow the Five Pillars in their daily lives

Shahadah- There is no god , but God , and Muhammad is the messenger of God

Daily Prayers- Performance of continual round of prayers . Five times a day , the faithful are to perform ritual ablutions with water (or sand or dirt , if necessary , and recite a series of prayers and passages from the Qu 'ran , bowing and kneeling

Zakat- spiritual tithing and almsgiving . At the end of the year , all Muslims must donate at least two and a half percent of all accumulated wealth to needy Muslims . This helps to prevent others from not being equal in wealth and prevent personal greed

Fasting- recommended to Muslims , but the only one that is vital is the fast during Ramadan , commemorating the first revelations of the Qur 'an

Hajj- pilgrimage of Mecca . Muslims , who are able to make the pilgrimage must do so at least once in their lifetime . It involves a series of symbolic rituals and brings the faithful as close as possible to Allah

As I have understood through Living Religions by Mary Pat Fisher (2005 Muslims are faithful in their religion and the Five Pillars (p .261 Their daily lives are reflected upon these concepts and are taken extremely serious

The easiest of the Five Pillars for...