"There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This declaration of faith is called
the Shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the
only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last
Prophet, Muhammad.
2. Salah Or Prayer
Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper
and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows
the Qur'an and is generally chosen by the congregation.
Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire
day. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation.
Personal supplications, however, can be offered in one's own language and at any time.
Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields,
offices, factories and universities. Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily
life.
A translation of the Adan or Call to Prayer is:
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship
except God.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of
God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer!
Come to prayer!
Come to success!
Come
to success!
God is Great!
God is Great!
There is none worthy of worship except God.
3. Fasting Or Roza
Every year in the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown--abstaining from food, drink, and sexual
relations with their spouses.
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted
to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin
to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.
Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself
from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware
of the presence of God. God states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was
prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183)
4. Zakath
The financial obligation upon Muslims.
An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings
in trust. The word zakah means both "purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion
for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new
growth.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves the annual payment of a fortieth of one's
capital, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools.
An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h, and does so preferably in secret. Although
this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning.
The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother
with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked:
"What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give
something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet
said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said:
"He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check
himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity."
5. Hajj Or Pilrimage
The pilgrimage to Makkah (the hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless,
over two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of
different nations to meet one another.
The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that hajj and Ramada-n
fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions
of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times
between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajir, Abraham's wife) during her search for water. The pilgrims later stand
together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness,
in what is often thought as a preview of the Day of Judgment.
The close of the hajj is marked by a festival, the 'Id al Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts
in Muslim communities everywhere. This and the 'Id al Fitr, a festive day celebrating the end of Ramada-n, are the two holidays
of the Islamic calendar.
