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Significance of prayer in Islam
The five pillars of islam as components of muslims worship practice
The five pillars of islam as components of muslims worship practice
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Islam is the second largest monotheistic religion in the world that comes under Abrahamic faith. It consists of one point six billion followers that cover approximately twenty-three percent of the world’s population, and adherents of this faith are known as Muslims. The ideal fundamentals and principles of Islam are often misunderstood in the western society. Even though it is one of the most powerful growing religion in the world, it is perceived to be the faith that promotes violence. The true meaning of Islam can only be educated with the accounts of its origin through prophet Mohammad, the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the understanding of Islamic beliefs, knowing of the five substantial pillars, and finally through the characterization …show more content…
These are the major duties and practices that are drilled into each follower in Allah. They are required to perform certain rituals in order to cleanse their spirits to live accordingly with the ordinance and expectations of Allah. The first pillar is known as the Shahada, it is the saying and believing that there is only one God and that Mohammad is the last Prophet and Messenger sent by Allah. The second Pillar is Salat, meaning brief prayer that must be performed five times a day. The first prayer of the day is called Fajr; it is carried out at least ten to fifteen minutes prior to sun rise. The second prayer is called Dhuhr; it is around an hour before the mid-day. The third prayer is called Asr; it is performed in the afternoon. The fourth prayer is called Maghrib; it is at sunset. And finally, the fifth and the last prayer of the day is called Isha; it is at night. The third pillar of Islam is Zakat, giving money to the poor and needy. It is scripted in the Qur’an for every Muslim to give at least twenty five percent of their wealth to the poor each year. The fourth pillar is Saum, it stands for the requirement to fast during daylight hours up until sunset in the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan Muslims refrain from eating, drinking any types of liquid including saliva, sexual activities, and also from negative behaviors. This is performed with the intend to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility, and submissiveness to God. Last but not the least, the fifth pillar is for Hajj. One must perform a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at least once in a lifetime, but only if the person is capable for it. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solitary of the Muslim and to their submission to God, Allah,
“Religion” is an inherently social creation which functions to naturalize certain behaviors and ideologies to maintain social order (Martin 94). In his book “A Critical Introduction to the Study of Religion”, Craig Martin introduces the concept of a “cultural toolbox”, comprised of the concepts, values, traditions, icons, figures, texts, and stories in a culture that represent and reinforce the elements of the society (97-98). To maintain social order and convince others to conform to the proposed, religions employ a tactic known as “legitimation” to justify traditions, practices, and ideologies using the “cultural toolbox” of a society (Martin 94).
But irrespective of the different manifestations and different practices, finally all streams of Islam find their mission and identity in their beloved prophet, religious history and sacred texts As it is such sources that will finally define and guide Islam of the future as it goes on spreading around the world, we must consider them as seriously as a serious Muslim does (Wilson). We should understand what is there in Islamic texts and instances and life of their prophet for understanding the growth and nature of Islam. On such historical-theological foundation, then we can best understand and contrast the objectives and state of Islam in today’s world for its true mandates and motivations.
The confession and prayers proclaim the Muslim God and prophet. Wrapped around these two, are the fasting and pilgrimage that pay honor and remembrance to the life of Muhammed. The final pillar, almsgiving, supports the Muslim community by giving to the less fortunate. Following these laws confirms the surrender of the Muslim to Allah and Muhammed, and directs them to a life of obedience. There are other laws from the Qur’an regarding such things as dress, food, and marriage but the five mentioned here represent “the central worship obligations of Muslims” (Corduan, 2012, p.125)
Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion alongside Judaism and Christianity. It is currently the second largest religion in the world today. Its beliefs come from the Qur'an which literally means "the recitation" which is believed to be a literal transcription of the word of God. Its main prophet is named Muhammad who began Islam by speaking with the angel Gabriel in a cave during his meditation and then acting as an instrument of God to help write the Qur’an. Muhammad then spread Islam to the scattered tribes of Arabia by becoming the leader of Yathrib and using his wonderful leadership abilities to then grow his influence over virtually all of Arabia. Muhammad is known by Muslims to be the seal of the profits because no profits after Muhammad should be considered legitimate. Muhammad also left behind the Hadith or “tradition” which is a collection of writings compiled of reports of Muhammad’s actions as leader of Yathrib. These reports are used as a more specific code of ethics in day to day life and from these reports the 5 Pillars of Islam are derived (Smith 160). Although Islam shares many similarities to Judaism and Christianity it is often viewed in the US with hate derived from preconceived notions following the attack on September 11th 2001. This paper seeks to provide an overview of Islam’s history as well as its two major sects and 5 main pillars to remove preconceived notions and provide a glance into the minds of the Islamic people.
Islam, a religion of people submitting to one God, seeking peace and a way of life without sin, is always misunderstood throughout the world. What some consider act of bigotry, others believe it to be the lack of education and wrong portrayal of events in media; however, one cannot not justify the so little knowledge that America and Americans have about Islam and Muslims. Historically there are have been myths, many attacks on Islam and much confusion between Islam as a religion and Middle Easter culture that is always associated with it. This paper is meant to dispel, or rather educate about the big issues that plague people’s minds with false ideas and this will only be touching the surface.
In the Islamic faith there are five pillars that they must follow to their best ability. The Salaht, the Hajj, they must give to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and repetition of the creed, "There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." These pillars are more like obligations in the Islamic religion.
Islam 's fundamental duties, practices, and beliefs are summarized in the Five Pillars of the faith, laid down in one of the Prophet 's Hadith and accepted by all Muslims. The five pillars are, the profession of faith, the daily prayer, payment of the Zakat, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. These are religious obligation of the Islamic practice. Although Christian 's religion is summarized in the Ten Commandments, the two faiths have similar and ideas, practices, and beliefs. The similarities can be seen through the rules of the holy writings and by the specific actions preformed both outside and in the worship places.
The second pillar is known as salat, meaning prayer or worship. Muslims must pray facing Mecca, five times a day. However, some sects of Islam teach that Muslims must pray three times a day, not five. The third pillar is known as zakat, or charity. This pillar states that all Muslims must give alms to help those in need.
In my opinion, the last three pillars of Islam, mentioned above, connect the Islamic people the most. The Third pillar, Zakat, or charity to the poor, requires each Muslim to pay 2.5% of everything he or she owns to the poor each year. (Molly 442) The fourth pillar requires Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan.
The worship of Allah is principal in a Muslim’s mind at all time. There are also five formal acts of worship which help strengthen a the faith and obedience of a Muslim. They are frequently called the “Five Pillars of Islam”. The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework and guidelines of the Muslim life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, supporting the needy, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the once in a lifetime trip to Makkah for those who are able to do so. These Five Pillars are the thing Muslim’s do to please God and to keep themselves well and happy in this lifetime and for the future ones to come. It was Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, who was reported to have said, “Islam is based upon five pillars”.
To be saved, we trust in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that washed away our sins. Rather, Christians does good deeds so that God will be honored. The second pillar is to pray five times a day facing toward Mecca. It is no wonder I see arrows pasted at the ceiling in every hotel I stayed when I go for a vacation.
On Hajj The religion of Islam is held up by five pillars, known as the five. pillars of Islam. These are five ritual duties that Muslims view as central to their faith. These are: (1) pronouncing the confession of faith (shahada); (2) performing the five daily prayers (salat); (3). fasting during the month of Ramadan (saum); (4) paying the alms tax.
The second pillar, named Salat, is the pillar of praying five times a day. Muslims wash their face, arms, feet and passed their wet hands over their heads, before each prayer. Muezzins were people who called the Muslims to the mosques for prayer by shouting from tall towers called minarets. Layme... ... middle of paper ... ...
The Islamic religion has a powerful meaning - surrender. Muslims in their religion pray to Prophet Muhammad who is regarded as the greatest of all prophets. Salat is one of the five pillars of Islam. The doctrinal narrative and experiential dimensions. The doctrinal dimension is important because ritual prayer of Salat Is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is always in the direction of the ka’ba the shrine in mecca. The narrative dimension is also very important. this prayer must always be preceded by following the steps of washing their face hands and feet that can be done with sand when water is not available. Praying five times a day in a prescribed manner called the Salat. This is an extremely important tenet of Islam and has been enjoined with great emphasis both in the Holy Quran and the sayings of Prophet Mohammad. It is the greatest source for purification of the soul. If a man is not reciting Salat must be considered as soulless man. The way the Salat is offered and the words which are recited explain the true nature of religion.
Religion is an important factor in many lives in today’s society. A particular western religion that is taken very seriously by many is known as Islam. Essentially, Islam means “submission”, or in other words a person is to abide by God and peace will follow. In order to comprehend the Islamic religion, it is consequential to view the major themes associated with this religion. By going through the central themes of Islam it could help others comprehend what is involved with this specific religion.