A Glimpse Intro The Religion Of Islam by Rasheed Barbee

Islam has five pillars upon which it is built.

1. The Two Testimonies of Faith: This is the statement by which a person enters Islam. This statement is as follows: “I bear witness that nothing has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” The first statement negates worship for everyone and everything other than Allah; while affirming that worship is for Allah, alone, without partners. The second statement affirms Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; thus, his statements are believed, and his com mands are followed.

2. The Prayer: Muslims pray five times a day. The prayer is the con nection between man and his Creator. The similitude for the prayer is that of the person who bathes at the riverbank five times a day. Would this person have any traces of filth upon them?.

3. Zakat: Zakat is a form of charity taken from the affluent and given to the needy. Each year the individual is required to give 2.5% of his savings to the poor within his community. The poor are not re quired to pay Zakat. The benefits of Zakat include the fulfillment of love, solidarity, mercy, and cooperation. It also removes evil traits, such as envy, greed, and animosity.

4. Fasting: Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. While fasting, the person abstains from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from daybreak to sunset. Fasting trains the soul to patiently abstain from what it desires and naturally craves. Fasting brings about empathy and compassion for those who go without food and water throughout the year due to poverty. Fasting also has many health benefits. Those who are sick, elderly, and unable to fast are excused.

5. Hajj: Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims are only required to perform Hajj once in their lifetime, if financially and physically able. Hajj contains many spiritual and social benefits. During Hajj season, Mecca is the most diverse place on the planet. Muslims of all races, colors, nationalities, economic backgrounds—kings and laborers— unite in one place, dressing in uniformity, to worship their Creator.