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The 5 Pillars of Islam
1)Shahadah or Declaration of Faith~
"There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This declaration of faith is called the shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and Muslims believe that this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
2)Salat or Prayer~
Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and which are seen by Muslims as a direct link between the worshipper and God. These five ritual prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications however, can be offered in one's own language and at any time.
3)Zakat or Almsgiving~
An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both "purification" and "growth." Setting aside a proportion for those in need purifies our possessions.
4)Sawm or Fasting~
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all able Muslims fast from dawn until sundown - abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses. Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification. Muslims believe that by cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God. He also gets to know about the difficulties and pains of the destitutes of the society.
5)Hajj or Pilgrimage~
The pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) - the hajj - is an obligation only for those who can afford it physically, financially, and securely. Nevertheless, over three million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations and races to meet together. The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar year. Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all Muslims stand equal before God. The rites of the hajj are believed by Muslims to originate from the time of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him).
These rites include going around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Abraham's wife) during her search for water for her son Ismael ( Peace be upon Him ). The pilgrims later stand together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.
The close of the hajj is marked by a festival, the 'Id Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This and the 'Id Al-Fitr, a festival day celebrating the end of Ramadan, are the two main holidays of the Islamic calendar.
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