How to Practice the Five Pillars of Islam

The five pillars of Islam are the five basic principles that Muslims must consider their duty to complete in respect to the faith and their God, Allah. Believers in Islam do not require the teachings or guidance of priests or clergy, as the five pillars allow them to practice the religion and directly worship Allah.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Make a daily declaration of faith, the first of the five pillars of Islam known as Shahada. State each day that there is no god but God, and Mohammed is God's messenger. Repeat the statement twice with firm belief, repeating it in your daily prayers.

2. Perform your prayers five times daily while facing towards Mecca, the pillar known as Salat. Regular prayers are performed at dawn, al-fajr; at noon, adh-dhuhr; in the afternoon, al-'asr; in the evening, am-maghreb; and at night, al-'isha. If you live in a Muslim country, chances are you will hear the call to prayer echoing from the mosques. If you do not have the benefit of the prayer call, consult your local mosque for the prayer times as they change daily. Remember to wash your body thoroughly before prayers.

3. Practice the third pillar, Sawm, in which daily fasts are practiced from the dawn prayer to the evening prayer during the month of Ramadan. While people who are ill, menstruating, pregnant, breast-feeding or even traveling are exempt from the fast, they are expected to make up the lost days later or donate to a charity. Remember that Ramadan is a time to come closer to God. Fasting is not just the elimination of food and drink, but also sexual activity, anger and immoral behavior.

4. Give 25 percent of your income to charity, the pillar known as Zakat. While those in debt or living in extreme poverty are not expected to give what they do not have, those with abundance are expected to give more. Charity includes donations to the mosque, to any charitable Muslim or non-Muslim organization as well as donations of food and personal time.

5. Complete the last of the five pillars of Islam at least once during your lifetime, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj. The pilgrimage must be performed with a group of people and involves a series of prayers and rituals both in and around the holy city of Mecca. During the annual Hajj, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers special visas so that Muslims around the world might take part.

[hamdyr]

on 2/10/2009 AA
Please correct the percentage of Zakat. 25% is little too much. I am sure it is a typo but it may scare people away if they know they have to pay 25% and actually it is only 2.5%.
AA