Islam & Muslims

1. FAITH (IMAN)
2. PRAYER (SALAT)
3. ZAKAAT (Charity for the Poor)
4. FASTING (SAWM)
5. PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

1. FAITH (IMAN):
   
   "There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger". This declaration o faith is called the Shahada, (to bear witness) a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce.
   In Arabic, the first part is "la ilaha illa’Llah" (there is no god except God); "ilah" (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God such as wealth, power, and the like. Then comes "illa’Llah" (except God), the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is "Muhammadur rasulu’Llah" (Muhammad is the messenger of God).
   
   A message of guidance has come from God through Muhammad (pbuh) who was a man and a person like us.
    
2. PRAYER (SALAT):
   
   Obligatory prayers are performed five times a day and are a direct link between the worshipper and God.
   
   There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur’an, and is chosen by the congregation.
   
   These five daily prayers contain verses from the Qur’an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the revelation. However, personal supplication can be offered in one’s own language after the prayer.
   Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day.
   
   Although it is preferable to worship together in a Mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as at home, in fields, offices, factories and universities.
   Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life. Praying together shows unity and reminds Muslims of their purpose and their Creator
    
3. ZAKAAT (Charity for the Poor):
   
   One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust.
   The word Zakaat means both purification and growth. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.
   Zakaat, which is a form of charity (Sadaqa), is compulsory on every Muslim. Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakaat. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one’s capital.
   A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as Sadaqa (charity), and does so preferably in secret and 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 sadaqa’ (Tirmidhi).
   The Prophet also said: ‘Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.’ He was asked: ‘What if a person has nothing to give?’ He replied: ‘He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.’ The Companions asked: ‘What if he is not able to work? The Prophet said. ‘He should help the poor and needy persons.’ 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 charity’ (Al-Bukhari & Muslim).
    
4. FASTING (SAWM):
   
   All Muslims are required to observe fasting for one whole month every year during the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan from first light until sundown, abstaining from food and drink.
   The religious significance of Ramadan consists not only in the obedience to God but also in moral and spiritual discipline such as purifying one’s mind of bodily desires and evil thoughts, strengthening one’s will, caring and sharing in the hardships of others especially the poor and forgiveness and goodwill towards others.
   
   Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year.
   If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from adolescence, although many start earlier.
   Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification.
   
   By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person increases one’s spiritual status and gains true sympathy with those who go hungry.
    
5. PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ):
   
   The annual pilgrimage to Mecca (or Makkah) - the Hajj is an obligation only for those who are physically able and have the financial means to perform it.
   
   Nevertheless, about 3 million Muslims perform Hajj every year, many travelling from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another.
   Although Mecca is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar) so that Hajj (and Ramadan) falls in different seasons of the year.
   Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments, which 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 circling the Ka’ba seven times, and walking seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water.
   
   Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafat and join in prayers for God’s forgiveness (in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgement), and slaughter (sacrifice) animals whose meat is distributed to the poor and needy and neighbors.
   The close of the Hajj is marked by the Eid-al-Adha festival, which is celebrated with prayers and exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere.
   
   This and the Eid-al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals in the Muslim calendar.