What Are the 5 Pillars of Islam Facts?

Even if you are not practicing the Islamic faith, understanding the Five Pillars of Islam will expand your horizons to better understand this religion.

Faith

At the heart of many religions, particularly the monotheistic ones, is faith. They state that the only one who is worthy of such praise and honor is God. They also state that Muhammad is the messenger of God in this same pillar. Faith in and service to God is above all. The only purpose in life is to serve God, and the way that people are to go about learning how to praise God is to follow the teachings of Muhammad. Muhammad is regarded as the last Prophet of Islam, who received messages from the Lord on how people are to live their lives.

Prayer

Followers of Islam are expected to pray five times a day. These prayers are called Salah. They directly connect the worshipper to God, and that is why they are a mandatory part of the religion. Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late afternoon, sunset, and at night. When Muslims pray, they recite verses from the Qur'an. These formal prayers are spoke in Arabic. However, they are also allowed to recite their own personal prayers at any time that they wish.

It is preferred that Muslims go to a mosque to pray; however, their faith says that it is acceptable for them to pray anywhere.

Financial Obligations

One of the major facets of Islam is that everything is owned by God; therefore, human beings are put in charge of taking care of the money for God. Followers of Islam are asked to put aside certain amounts of money according to what they are able to do based on their financial situations. Some of that money goes to those who are in need and some of it goes for the public good.

They can also donate other money as well to certain causes, which is generally done in privacy and secrecy.

Fasting

Fasting is another major part of the Islamic religion. During the month of Ramadan, Islams have to fast from dawn until sundown every day. They cannot eat, drink, or have sexual relations with their partners during those hours. Children do not have to fast before puberty; however, many of them will start to do so before they reach that age.

Some people are allowed to take a break from the fast if they need to eat. For example, those who are sick or elderly can stop during the day and take a break. If they do so, they will make an equal number of days later in the year if they are able to.

Pilgrimage

Journeying to Mecca is an obligation only for those individuals who are physically and financially able to do so. Over two million people travel there on a yearly basis in order to show professions of their faith. Those who are going to make this trip, known as a hajj, begin it in the twelfth month of the Islamic year.