Transcript The Five Pillars of Islam

The Five
Pillars of
Islam
What does it mean to be a Muslim?
 By
definition, a Muslim is a person who
submits to the will of God.
 The five pillars of Islam are seen as ways of
worshipping God – the definition of worship
in Islam is very broad
 If a person identifies as Muslim, their lifestyle
should show their submission to Allah’s will,
therefore all they do is worship.
 Watch 5 pillars video
http://www.youtube.com/user/Cartoons4M
uslimKids
The 5 Pillars of Islam
Arabic
and
English
name
What is a Muslim What does this pillar
obliged
represent/symbolize
in Islam?
to do? – how is
this pillar carried
out?
Shahada – testimony of faith
 The
first pillar is testifying that there is only one
God and that his final prophet is Muhammad.
 All prophets are believed to have preached
Islam in their own times-the oneness of God,
against idolatry and sin.
 The Qur’an says that M will be the last prophet
(“the seal of the prophets”) – he is widely
considered to be the founder of Islam.
 Significance: Children memorize the shahada,
recited as part of prayers, converts to Islam
need to testify publicly to be considered Muslim.
Salat - prayer
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Muslims pray 5 times a day, facing the ‘Qibla’.
Prayers can be said any place that is clean.
Prayer unites the body, soul and mind.
For prayers to be valid:
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Intention to pray and get benefit from it
Proper modesty must be maintained during prayer
Wudu must be performed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpHcw9uvU6E
Prayers are recited in Arabic.
The call to prayer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF47Ec5wBK4 –
“Muslim call to prayer makes Christian cry”
Significance: shows submission and gratitude to God,
puts the focus on God and spirituality.
Zakat - charity
 Muslims
voluntarily give 2.5% of surplus wealth to
the poor.
 In some Islamic states, zakat is collected by the
government like taxes.
 Charity is distributed to the needy (in some
places, to Muslims first)
 Most Muslims who are able also give additional
money to charity
 Significance: shows submission to God, pleases
God, reduces poverty and creates equality
Sawm - fasting
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Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of
Ramadan.
They are encouraged to read the entire Qur’an
during the month.
Fasting includes all food and drink, as well as smoking
and sexual activity.
Penalties exist for breaking the fast.
The fast is broken with the feast of Eid Ul-Fitr – involves
celebration, gifts and prayers at the mosque or
somewhere else communally.
Significance: an act of submission, reminds Muslims of
the poor, shows gratitude and sorrow to Allah, and
increases spiritual strength. Commemorates the
writing of the Qur’an and M’s first revelation (the Night
of Power).
Hajj - Pilgrimage
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JKPgHIGlUE (Why Do Muslims perform hajj?)
All Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a
lifetime if they can afford to.
Pilgrims dress in simple white clothing at about 10 kms from
Mecca.
Pilgrims walk around the Kaaba seven times, touching the
black stone, traveling seven times between two
mountains and “throwing stones at the Devil”.
The practice of throwing stones (originally at pillars, but
now a wall) has caused the death of many pilgrims over
the years.
Significance: Commemorates Abraham’s life, including his
willingness to sacrifice his son. Muslims atone for their sins
and encourages Muslims from all cultures to be together.