Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam

Watch each of the Videos and provide answers to the questions;

Use this website to answer question one; (Name each Pillar)

Pillar #1: Shahaadah

• What is the meaning of the declaration of faith? 

To promise you love for Allah

• Why do you think that this statement is a significant part of being a Muslim?

They only choose to worship one God and follow it to assure their faith and love for Allah

Video – Islam_vid_muslimpray.mov

Pillar #2: Salah

• Describe the process that Muslims go through to prepare to pray.

Before praying you must wash yourself clean, and pray on a mat with your shoes off

• Describe the process of praying in Islam. How many times each day, and when, do Muslim pray?
• Fajr – Prayed before sunrise
• Dhuhr – Prayed early afternoon
• Asr – Prayed late afternoon
• Maghrib – Prayed at sunset
• Ishaa – Prayed approximately one and a half hours after the Maghrib prayers

• What do the prayers sound like?  What do the movements look like? 

Singing and chanting, the main movement is a bow like move that is in time with the sound of the prayer

• In which direction do Muslims pray? Why do they face this way?

They face Mecca because this is their spiritual homeland

• What are some of the things Muslims say during prayer?

They say ‘God is greater’ and wave their hands back to say they are here with God and leaving everything behind them

• Why do Muslims pray?

To respect their God like any other religion would do and connect with Allah

Video – Islam_vid_zakat.mov

Pillar #3: Zakaat

• What is Zakaat?  What is emphasized in Zakaat?

The Zakaat means to give alms to the poor, Muslims are supposed to donate to a fixed amount of their property to charity every year.

• Why do Muslims make donations?  How much money is a person expected to give to charitable causes? 

2.1 % ,because they believe the Allah made rich and poor people and everyone deserves money.

• What is the relationship between prayer and money?

In the Quran it is mentioned that to provide for others equally you must donate and share what you may have but others do not.

• How is Zakaat different from ordinary charity that Muslims might give?

The Zakaat is usually done in the month of Ramadan because they feel they will get more blessings when they donate to charity

Video - Islam_vid_islam_celeb.mov

Pillar #4: Sawm

• As part of the Muslim religion, what does it mean to fast? 

Fasting brings Muslims to greater awareness of God’s presence

• Why do Muslims fast?

Sharing the suffrage of the poor and to purify your soul

• What and when is Ramadan?  

9^th month of the calendar

• What is Eid al-Fitr? 

Videos – Islam_vid_hajj (part 1 & 3)

Pillar #5:

• How often must Muslims participate in Hajj? 

Must go once in their lifetime (depending on finance or health)

• Where do Muslims go during Hajj? 

Mecca in Saudi Arabia

• What and where is the Kaaba?  Describe this place. 

In Mecca, Saudi Arabia is a huge spiritual place which can hold 750,000 people to pray together

• How many Muslims participate in Hajj?

              ¼ of the size of the New York

• What is the goal of Hajj? 

The worship of God

• What does it mean to enter spiritual purity? What is the purpose of the special garments?

This means a consciousness or intention for women to perform Hajj. The special garments means wwearing no underwear, jewellery, perfume or deodorant. The purpose is to equalize each other and to enter a state of consciousness where you don’t argue with anyone or be intimate with your partner so that people focus on God.

• How does Mubarek describe his experiences as a pilgrim?

He was glad to be there and realize that this is what he had been praying towards

• What is the significance of Abraham to pilgrims?

Abraham is known to have raising the foundations of this holy house