7 Pillars Of Islam In Order
Maral Mende
Shahadah, profession of faith, is the first pillar of Islam. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam.
Salah, prayer, is the second pillar. The Islamic faith is based on the belief that individuals have a direct relationship with God. The world's Muslims turn individually and collectively to Makkah, Islam's holiest city, to offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. In addition, Friday congregational service is also required. Although salah can he performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque.
Zakat, almsgiving, is the third pillar. Social responsibility is considered part of one's service to God; the obligatory act of zakat enshrines this duty. Zakat prescribes payment of fixed proportions of a Muslim's possessions for the welfare of the entire community and in particular for its neediest members. It is equal to 2.5 percent of an individual's total net worth, excluding obligations and family expenses.
Sawm, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, is the fourth pillar of Islam. Ordained in the Holy Qur'an, the fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God. Fasting is also an exercise in self-control whereby one's sensitivity is heightened to the sufferings of the poor. Ramadan, the month during which the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, begins with the sighting of the new moon, after which abstention from eating, drinking and other sensual pleasures is obligatory from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is also a joyful month. Muslims break their fast at sunset with a special meal, iftar, perform additional nocturnal worship, tarawih, after evening prayer; and throng the streets in moods that are festive and communal. The end of Ramadan is observed by three days of celebration called Eid Al-Fitr, the feast of the breaking of the fast. Customarily, it is a time for family reunion and the favored holiday for children who receive new clothing and gifts.
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. For those Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah, the Hajj is a once in a lifetime duty that is the peak of their religious life. The Hajj is a remarkable spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world to the holy city. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage.
The five pillars of Islam define the basic identity of Muslims - their faith, beliefs and practices - and bind together a worldwide community of believers into a fellowship of shared values and concerns.
The Biden-Harris Administration released the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism on May 25, 2023. The strategy outlines a whole-of-society approach to tackle the scourge of antisemitism in America. It features over 100 meaningful actions that over two dozen government agencies will take to counter antisemitism, as well as over 100 calls to action for Congress, State and local governments, companies, technology platforms, students, teachers and academics, civil society and faith leaders, and others to counter antisemitism. The four pillars of the strategy address key themes and threats raised by over 1,000 diverse stakeholders across the Jewish community and beyond: (1) increasing awareness and understanding of antisemitism, including its threat to America, and broaden appreciation of Jewish American heritage; (2) improving safety and security for Jewish communities; (3) reversing the normalization of antisemitism and countering antisemitic discrimination; and (4) building cross-community solidarity and collective action against hate.
In order to fight antisemitism, Americans must recognize and understand it. The strategy seeks to increase awareness and education in schools, communities, and the workplace about both antisemitism, including the Holocaust, and Jewish American heritage.
To prevent violence against Jewish communities through accountability, deterrence, and effective responses to attacks, the strategy aims to improve data collection on antisemitism, ensure vigorous enforcement of hate crime laws, and increase federal funding for the physical security of Jewish institutions.
To address the rise of antisemitic speech and intimidation in the public square and especially online, the strategy urges all Americans to speak out against antisemitism and calls on Congress and tech platforms to take action to address hate online. The strategy also commits agencies to raise awareness of and fully enforce federal nondiscrimination laws. It additionally aims to boost digital literacy and civics education and combat growing antisemitism in schools and especially on college campuses.
We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better.
Zakat is an Islamic financial term. As one of the pillars of the faith, it requires all Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to charity. Muslims must meet a certain threshold before they can qualify for zakat. The amount is 2.5% or 1/40 of an individual's total savings and wealth. Zakat can be paid at any time during the lunar year. Some Islamic countries require citizens to pay zakat while others do not.
Muslims should take inventory of their possessions and wealth. Once they reach nisab or the threshold, which is the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver, they must pay zakat. The total amount to be paid is 2.5% or 1/40 of their total savings and wealth. Muslims can use any number of zakat calculators which are available online to determine their obligations.
Individuals must meet a certain threshold known as nisab in order to qualify for zakat every lunar year. This is set at the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. People whose wealth exceeds the value of these amounts must pay 2.5% of the value of their wealth in zakat. Individuals who do not meet this limit are not obligated to pay.
Muslims are obligated to pay 2.5% of the total value of their wealth less any liabilities in zakat provided they reach nisab. This is the threshold, which is the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. Some Muslim countries make zakat mandatory, just like taxes. Others, though do not obligate their citizens to do so.
Elmaghrabi, Mahmoud, et al. "Towards Developing Standards for the Zakat Administration in the Republic of Sudan." International Journal of Management and Applied Research, vol. 7, no 2, 2020, pp. 136-146.
The motive behind the attack that killed more than 300 worshippers remains unclear. But the prospect of IS targeting a mosque frequented by Sufis has raised the specter of further violence against a form of mystical Islam with deep roots in the Muslim world.
Followers of Sufism believe they can become closer to Allah through inner purification and introspection. They do this by meditating and receiving guidance from their spiritual leaders, or "murshid" (guide).
Adherents of Sufism follow the five pillars of Islam just as other practicing Muslims. They declare faith in one God Allah and Mohammed as his messenger, pray five times a day, give to charity, fast and perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Dhikr is a central practice in Sufism, whereby adherents recite divine verses and intone the name of Allah. It can be performed individually or in a group, and can be quiet or out loud. Dhikr practices vary among Sufi orders.
"The Sufis are Muslims and live Islam in perfection with body and soul. The body of Islam is Sharia, the law, and soul of Islam is Sufism, spirituality. For Sufis, Sharia is indispensable, because law provides order in life and Sufism provides for joy in life. The daily remembrance of God in the dhikr and the different forms of meditation in the community, strengthen the conscious feeling of closeness to God and the charity for the other."
He continued: "Sufis adhere to the prophet's tradition of loving every creature for the sake of the Creator's love. So they overlook the mistakes and blemishes of the people they encounter and only look at the light of God in them. By recognizing the light of God, the Sufis practice forgiveness of mistakes of man."
It comes as the Egyptian IS affiliate last year beheaded the blind Sheikh Suleiman Abu Heraz, a Sufi figure. In January, IS' online propaganda magazine advocated targeting Sufis and warned it would "not permit (their) presence."
"The current disputes in the Middle East are not really between 'Sufism' and 'extremism,' but between Wahhabism and everything else," said Winter, adding that mainstream Sunni Islam advocates tolerance and peace.
The five pillars of Islam are the shahada, prayer, zakat, fasting, and hajj. Each one is engraved along this entire band in Arabic, marked with a ridged separation between each pillar. This ring represents all of the core pillars that make us Muslims and is meant to make you proud of the actions you embody in your everyday life. Be proud of who you are.
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