central beliefs and practices

central beliefs and practices

What is Islam? Judaism, Christianity and Islam: a shared heritage Who was Muhammad (peace be upon him)? The Five Pillars of Islam Pillar 1: Shahāda (testament of faith) Pillar 2: Salah (formal prayer) Pillar 3: Zakah (mandatory charity) Pillar 4: Ramadān (fasting) Pillar 5: Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)

What is Islam? Islam literally means submission to one God, Allah. The message of Islam is to believe in and worship only one God, and to believe in His: Revelations Angels Prophets Pre-destination Day of Judgement Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received Allah s final revelation, through the intercession of Angel Gabriel (Jibril), over 1,400 years ago. This revelation is the Qur an.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam: a shared heritage Islam teaches that the Qur an is a confirmation and completion of the same message sent by Allah, to a line of prophets, beginning with Adam and including Abraham (Ibrahim), Noah (Nuh), Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa),peace be upon them.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam: a Shared Heritage Jews and Christians are referred to in the Qur an as people of the Book. The Qur an states the commonality between the three Abrahamic faiths, and instructs them to work together. Say: O people of the Book! Come to common terms between us (Muslims) and you (Jews and Christians) (Qur an, 3:64)

Muslims believe Muhammad 570-622 CE (peace be upon him), was the last in a line of messengers appointed by God to spread the same message: to worship only one God, Allah, and to live a just life according to His Will. Muslims believe that Allah revealed a series of messages to Muhammad (peace be upon him), through the intercession of the Angel Gabriel (Jibril). Together, these messages form the Qur an; a guidance on how to live according to Allah s law. Muslims follow Muhammad s name with the phrase peace be upon him as a sign of respect and love. Muslims also use this phrase for other prophets.

Who was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? Muslims view Muhammad s (peace be upon him) character and the way he lived his life as a perfect model. For this reason, Muslims strive to follow his example. Muhammad s (peace be upon him) life is well documented. His sayings (Hadith) and actions (Sunnah), were meticulously memorised by his companions during his lifetime. They were compiled and written shortly after his death. Qur an and Hadith are both primary sources of law and guidance in Islam, with the Qur an being the actual Word of God.

The Five Pillars of Islam The main beliefs and expressions of Islam are known as the five pillars of the faith. Pillar 1: Shahāda (testament of faith) Pillar 2: Salat ( formal prayer) Pillar 3: Zakah ( mandatory charity) Pillar 4: Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadān) Pillar 5: Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)

Pillar 1: Shahāda testament of faith The Shahāda is the testament of faith; it is the essence of Islam: In order to become a Muslim, one needs only to recite the Shahāda with sincere belief and with witnesses present.

Pillar 2: Salah formal prayer What is Salah? Salah is the formal Islamic prayer. Performing Salah five times a day, is obligatory upon all Muslims who have reached the age of puberty and are physically and mentally able to perform it. What does the act of Salah involve? An intention in one s heart to worship Allah. Performing ablution (wudu) as a pre-requisite to prayer. Facing the direction of the Ka bah in Makkah. Recitation of part of the Qur an in its original Arabic. A set of prescribed positions including prostration to Allah. Salah may be performed alone, or in congregation in a mosque or anywhere else which is clean.

Pillar 2: Salah formal prayer When do Muslims perform Salah? Salah is performed five times a day, at prescribed times: Fajr (dawn) Dhuhr (just after midday) Asr (afternoon) Maghrib (just after sunset) Isha a (nightfall)

Pillar 2: Salah formal prayer What is the purpose of Salah? Performing Salah enables the believer to dedicate time to connect with Allah and to focus on Him. Performing Salah five times a day at set intervals, is a continual reminder to the believer of his or her faith and purpose in life. Through performing Salah, Muslims believe one is more likely to remain steadfast in upholding a just life, and less likely to stray from the straight path of Islam.

Pillar 3: Zakah mandatory charity Zakah means purification and comes from the Arabic verb zaka, which also signifies to thrive, to be wholesome and to be pure. Muslims purify their wealth by giving a portion of it every year in charity. It is obligatory for every Muslim household to give 2.5% or 1/40 of its income to charity, provided it has a certain level of wealth in excess of its basic needs (nisab). This mandatory alms tax is called Zakah. Many Muslims give to charities like Islamic Relief, which distribute Zakah and other charitable donations on their behalf, to the most needy.

Pillar 4: Ramadān fasting The Qur an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the month of Ramadān. For this reason, Ramadān is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. The Qur an prescribes healthy Muslim adults to fast during Ramadān. It also states that people of the Book were instructed to fast. Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for people before you... (Qur an, 2:183) Islamic fasting requires a Muslim to abstain from food and drink, between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Fasting also requires a Muslim to abstain from sexual relations, to be more conscious of Allah through increased prayer and recitation of Qur an and to abstain from cruel thoughts, words and actions.

Pillar 4: Ramadān fasting The act of fasting: Draws the believer closer towards consciousness of Allah. Promotes self-discipline. Heightens awareness of those living in poverty. During Ramadān, Muslims also give money to charity. Islamic Relief, a faith based humanitarian agency, distributes millions of pounds to those in need. Muslims multiply their generosity at this time of year. At the end of Ramadān is a three day festival, Eid-ul-Fitr. Typically at this time, special Eid prayers are offered at the mosque, families come together and presents are exchanged.

Pillar 5: Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah Every year, over 3 million pilgrims will perform their Hajj in Makkah at the same time. Making the pilgrimage to Makkah is obligatory upon believers at least once in their lifetime, provided that they have the financial and physical means to do so. The pilgrimage is a form of worship. Pilgrims will give up worldly concerns for its four day duration, to focus on Allah.

Pillar 5: Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah The pinnacle of Hajj occurs on the third day, when all pilgrims gather together on the plain of Arafat, 9 miles outside of Makkah, from midday until after sunset. This time is spent in prayer, in reciting the Qur an and in begging forgiveness from Allah. At the heart of Makkah is the Ka bah which is central to the pilgrimage and is believed to be a sacred house originally built by Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim, peace be upon him). As part of the Hajj, pilgrims walk around the Ka bah. The Ka bah

Pillar 5: Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah Hajj pilgrims also perform many other rituals which commemorate actions of Prophets Muhammad and Abraham (Ibrahim), peace be upon them both. The pilgrimage renews a sense of brotherhood and solidarity; of being part of a global Muslim community. Men wear two sheets of white cloth, called ihram, and women wear simple, modest clothing. This dress code symbolises the equality of all to Allah.

Sources: The Qur an: a new translation (Oxford University Press, 2005) M.A.S. Abdul Haleem University of Southern California, USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts http://www.usc.edu/dept/msa/ (June 2009)

Islam: central beliefs and practices Written and compiled by Sarah Kilou Researcher / Writer One World Week Edited in partnership with Samia Ahmed Senior Development Education Co-ordinator Islamic Relief