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| Pillars of Islam |
Islam has five primary obligations or pillars of faith that each Muslim must fulfill in his or her lifetime. |
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| Islam is built on five pillars: |
The declaration (bearing witness) that there is no god but God (Allah) and that Mohammad is His Messenger
The establishment of prayers
The payment of the Zakat (tax)
Observation of the fast of Ramadan
The Hajj (pilgrimage) if affordable
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| Testimony: The First pillar of Islam. |
Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting that:
THERE IS NO DEITY WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER
This statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of, and total commitment to,
the message of Islam. This statement of faith should be declared publicly.
It should be a genuine belief, which includes all the article of faith.
The witnessing of the Oneness of God is the rejection of any form of deity other than the One Almighty God. And the witnessing that Muhammad is His last Messenger is the acceptance of him being chosen by Almighty God to convey His message of Islam to all humanity.
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| Prayers: The 2nd pillar of Islam |
Performing daily prayers is an act of communication between humans and God. The prayers are considered a duty for all Muslims. Prayer (Salah) is a distinct entity from worship in its wider sense, that is communicating your feelings to God at any time in any place and asking for His guidance, help and forgiveness, an ingredient of life which is highly commendable whether in Islam or other religions. Salah takes a special form and content, where both body and soul are harmoniously involved.
In prayer, every muscle of the body joins the soul and the mind in the worship and glory of Allah. Prayer is an act of worship. It is a matchless and unprecedented formula of intellectual meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical exercise, all combined.
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| Charity: The 3rd pillar of Islam |
Giving money for charity is highly commendable, and the sky is the limit, but Zakat is different because it is obligatory and is given in a calculated amount.Zakat represents the unbreakable bond between members of the community, whom prophet Mohammad described to be "like the organs of the body, if one suffers then all others rally in response."
One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Zakah does not only purifies the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors.Zakat is the right of the poor in the wealth of the rich and is neither optional charity nor philanthropy. Zakah has a deep humanitarian and social-political value; for example, it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption. Although Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possession, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy capitalism. Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between the citizen and the state, between capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism.
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| Fasting: The 4th pillar of Islam |
Fasting, during the holy month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. The fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God. Fasting during Ramadan or any time is recognized as physically demanding but spiritually rewarding.
It is the duty of all healthy muslims to observe the fast for this whole month. It is done so that we will know what humility really is. Fasting is also an exercise in self-control whereby one's sensitivity is heightened to the sufferings of the poor.
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| Hajj(Pilgrimage): The 5th pillar of Islam |
Hajj means "visit to the revered place".The pilgrimage to Makkah, is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. For those Muslims are able to make the journey to Makkah, the hajj is the peak of their religious life.
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| Meaning of Allah |
The Most Mercifull, the Most Beneficient
"Truly, I am Allah; there is no God but I; therefore serve Me"
[Al-Qur’an 20:14]
Things exist by his will
"When we decree a thing, We need only say:
'Be', and it is "
[Al-Qur’an 5:32]
"Surely, your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then ascended His Throne, Ordaining all things"
[Al-Qur’an 10:3]
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| The Last Prophet of God |
Muhammed(May Allah send peace and blessing to him.)
A comprehensive site detailing the Prophet's life. It contains his biography, his character and his relations.
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| American Muslims Condemn all acts of Terrorism |
Muslims condemn all acts against innocent civilians.
The Qur'an is a Book revealed to people as a guide to the true path and in
this Book, God commands man to adopt good morals. This morality is based upon
concepts such as love, compassion, tolerance and mercy. God calls all people to
Islamic morals through which compassion, mercy, peace and tolerance can be
experienced all over the world.
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Quran Chapter 5 Verse 32
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"If anyone slew an innocent person it would be as if he slew the whole mankind
and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole mankind"
[Al-Qur’an 5:32]
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