The First Pillar: Shahadah – Declaration of Faith

It says two things: 1.There is no god but Allah 2. Muhammad is the messenger of God

The Second Pillar: Salat – Mandatory prayer five times daily

Prayers take place:

1.before dawn

2.mid-day

3.late afternoon

4.after sunset

5.after dark

Wudu: Ablution; ritual cleansing of certain parts of the body performed prior to salat prayers, other acts of worship and other religious practices; literally and spiritually means “making pure or radiant”

Ghusl: Ritual cleansing of the entire body; an act of purification so that an individual can participate in prayer, attend the mosque or touch the Qur’an

The third pillar: Zakat – Mandatory almsgiving

Means “to purify or increase”. Muslims are required to give 2.5 percent of their surplus wealth over the period of one year

$50,000 – $20,000 = $30,000($30,000)(0.025) = $750

$10 / week $520Christmas and Easter $200Total: $720

The fourth pillar: Sawm – Mandatory fasting

•Muslims cannot eat, drink, or have sexual relations from dawn until dusk during the month of Ramadan•They abstain from the pleasures in life in order to develop spiritual purity•Special consideration is given to the young and elderly•The month ends with the festival called Eid al-Fitr.

The fifth pillar: Hajj – Mandatory pilgrimage to Makkah

If you have the health and the means, you are required to make the trip to Makkah.

The last day commemorates the time that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Ismael.

The Islamic Calendar1.Muharram2.Safar3.Rabi' al-awwal (Rabi' I)4.Rabi' al-thani (Rabi' II)5.Jumada al-awwal (Jumada I)6.Jumada al-thani (Jumada II)7.Rajab8.Sha'ban9.Ramadan10.Shawwal11.Dhu al-Qi'dah12.Dhu al-Hijjah