For many centuries now the internecine conflicts that plague the history of Islam and the West have ingrained misperceptions in Western minds. The question of what Muslims really believe and how they practice their faith has never been an important one to most people. However, after recent events, this attitude seems to be changing. The American conscience has awakened to the reality of the Muslim presence in America. To that end, I will attempt to outline the \five pillars"" of the Islamic faith, considered by most to be the major foundations of the Islamic identity.
The first pillar is Imaan, or belief. The basic declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula in Arabic, which all the faithful pronounce. The translation of the Shahada is, ""There is no God worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger."" By taking this proclamation, Muslims are called to remember that there is only one God and he is the only source of Creation. It is also an acknowledgement of Muhammad's role and an important reminder that the message of guidance has come through a human like ourselves. Our Imaan also includes the belief in God's books, including the Torah, Injeel (the Bible) and the Quran, belief in the existence of his Angels and belief in his previous Prophets (Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus). Without belief in any of these, the belief of any Muslim is incomplete.
Islamic Awareness Week: Demystifying the Faith
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The second pillar is the most important daily manifestation of the Muslim faith. Salat is the Arabic name for the obligatory prayers, which are performed five times a day, and act as a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and thus no priests, so a learned person who knows the Quran leads the prayers. This person, called the Imam, is chosen by the congregation. In the five prayers, verses from the Quran are recited in Arabic, the language of the Revelation.
Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Travelers to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life and no matter where you are at these times in the day the call to prayer (the Adhaan) can be heard.
One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God. Therefore our wealth is a trust given to us by God. The third pillar is called Zakat, meaning both ""purification"" and ""growth."" Setting aside a portion for those in need purifies a Muslim's possessions, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Each year every Muslim must calculate his or her own Zakat individually. For most purposes, this involves payment each year of 2.5 percent of one's capital. This wealth is then redistributed to the needy in order to provide for them. This charity keeps the money flowing within a society and attempts to prevent hoarding by the wealthy. It is incumbent upon every Muslim to give Zakat.
Fasting, Saum in Arabic, is probably one of the most visible pillars of Islam. Every year in the month of Ramadan (which started Nov. 16 this year), Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations. During this time Muslims learn to curb their gluttony and lust'two of the basest desires in a human's soul. Those who are sick, elderly, on a journey, pregnant or nursing are (of course) permitted to miss those days necessary and make up an equal number of days later in the year if possible. If physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, though many start earlier.
Though the fast is beneficial to the health, it is principally regarded as a method of selfpurification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains a better understanding and sympathy for those less well off than themselves, as well as an appreciation of one's spiritual life.
The final pillar is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj. It is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about 2 million people go to Mecca each year from every corner of the globe, providing a unique opportunity for Muslims from different nations to meet one another.
Although Mecca is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the 12th month of the lunar Islamic year. All pilgrims wear the same special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere.
