Devotional Practices of Islam Study Notes

Devotional Practices of Islam

5 Pillars of Islam overview

1. CHAPTER 10
Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

2. The Five Pillars of Islam
The basic practices
of Islam which
combine beliefs,
ethics and rituals and
are a constant
reminder of duty
towards Allah.
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

3. The Five Pillars
1.Shahada – confession of faith
2.Salat – the performance of daily prayers
3.Zakat – charity
4.Sawm – fasting
5.Hajj – pilgrimage
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

4. Shahada
•‘There is no God but Allah and Muhammad
is his prophet’.
•The confession of faith affirms one’s
membership of the Muslim community.
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

5. Salat
Prayer or salat must be
performed:
• five times a day
• towards Mecca
• with ablutions and rituals to
follow
Du’as are supplications
which may be said in the
believer’s own language
rather than Arabic.
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

6. Zakat
•Consists of giving 2½ % of wealth (surplus
possessions) to the poor and needy
•Distribution of zakat is managed differently in
different places. The distributor can be the
government, charitable organisations or individuals
themselves
•This practice emphasises the importance of letting
go of earthly things
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

7. Sawm
•Every Muslim must fast in the month of
Ramadan between sunrise and sunset
•The fast consists of no food, drink or sexual
relations
•Read the Qur’an each night
•Fasting helps those who practice it to
empathise with the poor and needy
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

8. Hajj
Every Muslim who is
physically and economically
able must make pilgrimage
to Mecca at least once in
their lifetime.
In a state of cleanliness,
pilgrims enact certain rituals,
and circumambulate the
Ka’ba.
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012

9. The significance of the Five Pillars
Taken together, the Five Pillars of Islam:
•demonstrate submission (Islam)
•emphasise the unity of the Muslim
community
Cambridge University Press © Hartney, Noble
2012