Islam 101

For the time being, some links to more information:

http://www.whyislam.org/877/
http://www.islamonline.net/english/index.shtml
http://english.islamway.com/
http://islamtomorrow.com/

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

1. Shahadah (Testimony of the Oneness of God): The declaration, knowingly and voluntarily of: La ilaha illal Lahu Muhammadan rasulul Lah (“There is no god except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”) is the core of Islam.

This belief governs all aspects of a human life; this fundamental truth rejects the division between religious and secular. Allah is not born, He has no son or daughter, He is the one Creator and therefore entitled to be worshiped alone.

Just the mere statement of this phrase cannot bring about a difference; there must be a conscious acceptance that grasps the full meaning, realizes its significance, and completely adheres to this in ones daily life in order for it to bring the revolution in thought and life which it is meant to bring.

2. Salah: It is the obligatory five daily prayers performed to reestablish one’s belief. One disassociates him or herself from worldly engagements and seeks guidance. This reminds the Muslim of his or her real role in life as a worshiper and a vice-gerent. These daily prayers strengthen the establishment of one’s faith and advancement of one’s sincerity, purposefulness, purity of heart, and enrichment of morals.

3. Sawm: The annual obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar). One must refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset every day. This conscious duty of patience during the month disciplines oneself and strengthens one’s faith.

All Muslims, regardless of status, must observe the fast during this month. This brings to the forefront the essential equality of people, which Islam has revolutionized in the structure of society.

4. Zakah: An obligatory payment of 2.5% from every Muslim’s annual balance, whose financial conditions are above a certain minimum. It can only be spent on the poor, the needy, the oppressed, and for the general improvement of society. This promotes the fundamental quality of selflessness (one’s wealth is not to be spent on his or her own luxury and comfort without assisting the orphans, the poor, and those who have the ability but lack the money with which they could acquire knowledge).

5. Hajj: It is the pilgrimage to the Ka’bah in Mecca in Thul-Hijjah (the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar). It is obligatory on those Muslims to perform it at least once in their lifetime, and only to those who can afford to undertake it. When we undertake the pilgrimage, we are required to suppress our passions and one’s thought are concentrated on Allah. During the pilgrimage, 3-5 million pilgrims gather from around the world wearing the same clothes, doing the same acts at the same time in the same place no matter the social status; again bringing to the forefront the equality of people.