Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam are five basic acts, considered mandatory by believers. They are the foundation of Muslim life.

Sources

http://www.alislam.org/islam/

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam.html

http://www.culteducation.com/reference/islamic/islamic27.html

http://pilgrimage.rma2.org/images/islam/islam_map.jpg

http://pilgrimage.rma2.org/images/islam/islam_map.jpg\

http://islam.about.com/od/dress/f/hijab_girls.htm

http://www.questionsaboutislam.com/faith-beliefs-practices/main-practices-rituals-of-islam.php

Islam

Tawhid- ultimate monotheism.

God is described in chapter 112 of the Qur'an as "Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him."(112:1-4)

Similar to the First Muslim Article of Faith

Muslims maintain that the previous messages and revelations have been partially misinterpreted or altered over time, but consider the Arabic Qur'an to be both the unaltered and the final revelation of God.

Muslims and Jews repudiate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and divinity of Jesus, comparing it to polytheism. In Islam, God is beyond all comprehension and Muslims are not expected to visualize God.

Rejecting the Trinity

Shahada is the profession of faith, the first pillar of Islam.

The sole requirement for becoming a Muslim is reciting this profession of faith.

He is viewed as a personal god who responds whenever a person in need or distress calls him.

There are no intermediaries, such as clergy, to contact God who states, "I am nearer to him than (his) jugular vein" (Qur'an 50:16).

No Clergy

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic year.

During this month, one refrains from food, drink, and sexual activity during the day.

Increase prayer and devotion.

Exceptions are made for travelers, menstruating women, and the ill.

Observance begins upon an official new moon sighting.

Sawm is Fasting during Ramadan

Shahada

Swam

Zakat

Salat

2.5 % of possessions (grains, fruit, camels, cattle, gold and silver)

The haves are taxed to help the have-nots.

Have nots: poor, slaves wanting to gain freedom, volunteers in Jihad, pilgrims.

Was required by the state in the past.

Now optional, except in Saudia Arabia, where religious law is enforced by the state.

"La ilaha illa Allah wa"

There is no god but God.

"Muhammad rasul Allah"

Muhammad is the prophet of God.

Two fundamental beliefs:

Zakat is the act of alms-giving.

It is performed 5 times a day (dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, evening), facing Mecca.

Worshipers use a prayer mat.

Alone, but better in a group.

Focal prayer of the week is the midday prayer on Fridays at the masque.

Abolutions- wash face, hands, and feet.

Required for both males and females.

The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Hajj

Must take place during Dhu Al-Hijja (last month of Islamic Year)

Exceptions are made for those who are poor or handicapped.

The Salat is the ritual prayer.

Sects of Islam

Countries Where Islam is Practiced

A Video to Wrap It All Up

Countries in the Arabian Peninsula

Foundations of Islam:

Kuwait

Bahrain

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

Oman

Yemen

Saudi Arabia

Islam is not monolithic (totally uniform) in beliefs.

Sects came to existence, focusing first on disagreements over who should lead the new faith and later on matters of doctrine. This began developing soon after the prophet Muhammad's death in the year 632.

Two major sects are Sunni and Shiite.

More Information

Shiite

Sunni

One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith.

About 18% live in the Arab world.

The world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia.

Substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities can be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe.

The smaller of the two principal branches of Islam. 10 percent of all Muslims.

They originally were followers of the fourth caliph, Ali, who was Muhammad's son-in-law through the prophet's daughter Fatima. Ali claimed that Muhammad on his deathbed selected Ali as leader of the faith, but Ali was murdered during the fifth year of his reign.

The Shiite formally broke away from Muslim leaders recognized by the Sunni around 680.

A principal belief of the Shiite is that no caliph since Ali has been legitimate.

The movement became popular among disaffected non-Arab Muslims who feared they were held in lower esteem within the faith.

At least 85 percent of the Islamic world.

Claim to be the direct continuation of the faith as defined by Muhammad.

For many years they acknowledged the religious authority of a ruling caliph, the major point of contention with the breakaway Shiite movement.

The Sunni derive their name through reliance on the "Sunnah" or the observed sayings, lifestyle and practices of Muhammad as recorded in a collection of writings called the Hadith.

The Sunni accept the "Sunnah" as a source of spiritual wisdom, while the Shiite insist on the primacy of the Koran.

Arabian Peninsula

Qu'ran

1.5 Billion Followers

Muhammad

622 CE

Muhammad was born in 570, Mecca, Arabia [now in Saudi Arabia]. He died on June 8, 632 in Medina), as the founder of the religion of Islam. He is accepted by Muslims throughout the world as the last of the prophets of God.