Transcript Pillars of Islamic Practice

Pillars of Islamic Practice
SCTR 19 - Religions of the Book
Prepared by Sean Hind
What are the Five Pillars?
Main Religious Practices of Sunnis:
Profession of Faith
Ritual Prayer
Almsgiving
Fasting
during Ramadan
Pilgrimage
to Makka
Described esp. in Qur’an 2:142-152, 183-203, 261-281
Shahada
Declaration of Faith:
“There is no god but Allah,
and Muhammad is his prophet.”
Not directly from Qur’an, but combo (e.g. Surah 49)
Sincere profession without coercion is
the only “initiation” into the Islamic faith
Recited frequently, publicly and privately
Part of the Adhan (5x daily “Call to Prayer”)
Shi’ite Muslims add “Ali is the Friend of God”
Salat
Ritual Prayer or Worship
Performed 5x daily by Sunnis, 3x by Shi’ites
Muezzein cries out the Adhan (“Call to Prayer”)
Ritual washings performed before prayer
Prescribed body movements during prayer
Prayer facing the Ka’bah in Makka (Qur’an 2:142-152)
Can be done alone or with others (esp. in mosque)
Friday Midday prayers – men required to attend
Zakat
Giving Alms to the Poor
2.5% of capital assets, annually
Seen as “Purification of wealth”
Formerly collected as a tax in Muslim countries
Now usually up to individuals
Reminds people that ultimately,
everything belongs to God
See Qur’an 2:261-281; 107:1-7
Sawm
Fasting during Ramadan
Considered holiest month of Islamic year
No food, drink, smoke, sex during daylight hours
Mandated by Qur’an (e.g. Surah 2:183-188)
Exceptions: children, elderly, sick, pregnant
For spiritual and physical cleansing/renewal
Consequences of not fasting?
Meals after sunset: Iftar (“breaking the fast”)
Ends with Eid al-Fitr (“Feast of Breaking the Fast”)
Hajj
Pilgrimage to Makka
Held annually, during 12th month (Dhu'l-Hijja)
Participation required once in lifetime, if possible
(unless physically or financially unable; see Qur’an 2:196-203)
Ca. 2 – 3 million pilgrims attend each year
Simple garments are worn, stressing equality
Several rituals take place during 3-4 days
Culminates with Eid al-Adha (“Feast of the Sacrifice”)
Review
The Five Pillars:
See esp. Qur’an 2:142-152, 183-203, 261-281
Shahada – Declaration of Faith
Salat – Ritual Prayer or Worship
Zakat – Giving alms to the poor
Sawm – Fasting during Ramadan
Hajj – Pilgrimage to Makka
A Sixth Pillar (for some Muslims, esp. Shi’ites):
Jihad – Struggle or Exertion for the Faith
Jihad
“Struggle or exertion” for the cause of faith
Should not be translated “Holy War”
Both internal (personal) and external (political)
Internal jihad more important than external jihad,
in the opinion of most moderate Muslims
Concept is accepted by all Muslims,
but not considered a “pillar” by all
See Qur’an 2:190-193