The Five Pillars of Islam

Pillar One
Shahada                                                                                                                    

• The meaning of declaration of faith is belief in one God
• It is a significiant part of being Muslim because  it is the center of the faith

Pillar Two

Salah                                                                                                                         

• The process that Muslims go through to prepare to pray is the washing of hands (up to ankles), hands (to elbows) and face.
•  When Muslims pray, they pray shoulder to shoulder, five times a day during dawn, morning, afternoon, evening and night.
• Prayers are sung, because when Muhummad received the prayer he was not literate so he sang. When they pray the are in a prostrate position.                                                                                
• Muslims pray facing Mecca, they pray facing here because its a sacred place for Muslims.
• Muslims say things like
• Muslims pray to communicate with God

Pillar Three

Zakaa

• Zakaat is charity, giving to the poor. Being kind to the poor and people who are needy is emphasized
• Muslims make donations because the more money you give the more favour you win with Allah
• Muslims are expected to give 2.5% minimum at least
• The relationship between prayer and money is the more you give the more you get
• Zakaat is diffrent because its the big, whereas other times they give smaller amounts

Sawm

• Muslims fast to remind them how blessed they are to have food
• Ramadan is the month of fasting, it's in September
• At the end of Ramadan they have a big feast

Pillar Five

Hajj

• Muslims participate in Hajj once every year
• Muslims go to Mecca during Hajj
• They pray in the middle of the mosque surrounding a box
• The goal of Hajj is to reestablish your connection with Allah
• To enter spiritual purity, the special garments are to show no class, everyone is equal
• Mubarek describes his experiences as a pilgrimage

Pillar Four

Five Main Duties of every Muslim

• Shahada (Profession of Faith) "there is no God but Allah and Mumhammad is the messenger of God"
• Salah (prayer) are  prayers recited daily
• Sawm (Fasthing during the month of Ramdan)
• Zakat (Giving of alms, charity) This is usally done in the month of Ramadan. It's designed to help alleviate hardship.
• Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) To be done at least once, and both men and women are encouraged to visit

Overview Of Islam






What does 'Islam' mean?
The word Islam in Arabic comes from the word Salam, the word Salam means peace, that the word Islam means: make peace.

What were the origins of the Muslim religion?
The origin of Islam is generally accredited to the prophet Muhammad but to the devout Muslim, Islam began long before Muhammad ever walked the earth. The Qur'an was dictated by Muhammad but, according to the Qur'an, it did not originate with Muhammad. The Qur'an testifies of itself that it was given by God through the angel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad. "This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe. The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it, to reveal it into your heart that you may be one of the warners, in a perfect Arabic tongue" (Sura 26:192-195). "Say, 'Anyone who opposes Gabriel should know that he has brought down this (the Qur'an) into your heart, in accordance with God's will, confirming previous scriptures, and providing guidance and good news for the believers'" (Sura 2:97).

How was it different from religious beliefs in Arabia pre-Mohammed? It was multi-god and goddess worship like most everywhere else before judaism kicked in


How does someone become a Muslim? To convert to Islam and become a Muslim a person needs to pronounce the below testimony with conviction and understanding its meaning (This article talks about joining Islam in more detail)
I testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”
The translation of which is:
“I testify that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a Messenger (Prophet) of God.”


How do Muslims practice their religion?
They worship God (Allah) the one and only one God, with no partner, no ssociate, no son, no resemblance
They do good deeds for the benefit of themselves, family, community, environment, and mankind.
They follow good conducts and morals
They follow Quran guides and prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teachings
They observe God in their doings and hence they strive in their doings to satisfy God


What is the Ka'ba?
A cube shaped building in Mecca, it is the most sacred site in Islam


What were the highlights of the life of Mohammed? How did he become  a prophet?


What is the Quran?
The sacred readings of Islam revealed to the prophet Mohammed in Mecca


Are there any other sacred sources?


What is jihatd?
The spiritual struggle within oneself against sinm, it is the fifth pillar of Islam

Auburn Gallipoli Mosque

Our excursion to the Gallipoli mosque was enlightening and interesting, although I did not agree with some of their veiws it was enthralling to hear about their religion and learn new things that I had not known about before.
Although I thought we were going to walk around and see things

What We Know About Islam

• Pilgrimage to the Hajj
• Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca
• Pork is forbidden
• Halal food
• Women pray separately
• Women wear Hijab to cover their hair
• Month of fasting is Ramadan
• There is one God called Allah
• Accessoriess