The Importance Of Sacred Traditions

1268 Words3 Pages

Sacred texts are an intrinsic and defining component of all religious traditions. Adherents of the rapidly expanding religion Islam honour two major sacred texts; the Qur’an and the Hadith. The Qur’an is the unaltered word of God, also known as Allah, and is supported by the teachings and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which are contained in the Hadith. Working together, the sacred texts successfully teach adherents of the tradition’s origins and beliefs. They also describe the Five Pillars of Islam and guide Muslims in ethical behaviour, allowing them to fully submit to Allah. In conjunction, the Quran and the Hadith reveal the message of Allah for Muslims and guide adherents throughout their lives. The Islamic sacred texts are the …show more content…

These are the most salient Muslim practices and have an extremely significant impact on the lives of adherents. The Five pillars of Islam consist of the testimony of faith (shahadah), five daily prayers (salat), almsgiving (zakat), fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime (hajj). These practices and acts of worship originate directly from the Qur'an and are also discussed in the Hadith. Neither of the sacred texts explicitly states that there are five specific practices to be performed however the Quran does state in 33:2, ‘Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord’. The Five Pillars have been derived from other verses such as the practice of Zakat which can be found in Hadith 2:17, ‘Righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah . . . and give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for the emancipation of the captives’. Such verses explain the importance of expressing one’s faith. By giving alms and fulfilling the main goal of Zakat, adherents can appreciate their fortune and the almighty power of Allah. The Five Pillars of Islam are foundational for all who follow the Islamic religious tradition as they foster positive ethical behaviour and strengthen the belief in Allah’s

More about The Importance Of Sacred Traditions

Open Document