The Five Pillars of Islam

1. FAITH (SHAHADA)

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad (peace be upon Him) is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Allah - "there is no god except God"; ilaha (god). Then comes illa Allah:" except God, the source of all creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu Allah: "Muhammad (peace be upon Him) is the messenger of God". A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves. 

2. PRAYER (SALAT)

Salat is the word for the prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by any person who knows a few verses of the Quran, chosen by the group within the prayer gathering. These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are recited in Arabic (the language of the Revelation) but personal prayers can be offered in any language.  

Prayers are performed at dawn; noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, offices, factories and universities. Women may pray from the comfort of their own home. Women may pray in their own gathering.

3. CHARITY (ZAKAH)

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God. The word zakat means both "purification" and "growth". Our possessions are purified by setting aside a portion of wealth for those who are in need. This cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of your capital.

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, 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 charity".

The Prophet (peace be upon Him) 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 asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help 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." 

4. FASTING (SAWM)

Every year, in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are allowed to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do that, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier. This is because fasting during Ramadan is compulsory on all people who have past puberty or are going through the process.

Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded as a method of self-purification. By cutting your self off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in the believers spiritual life. The prophet used to stay hungry one day and eat the next so that he could understand how life is like for a poor person and this created a bond with poor people and therefore he was very empathetic with poor people. Feeding the poor is a very important factor of Islam.

5. PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

The pilgrimage to Makkah -- the Hajj -- is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About 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. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year. Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that people of all races stand equal before God.

The Hajj should be performed at least once in a lifetime for those people who can afford it. Hajj can be performed on behalf of someone else i.e. a person that has died before they had the chance to perform Hajj.

In previous centuries performing Hajj was a difficult task. However today, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities making performing hajj much easier than before.

The close of Hajj is marked by a festival called Eid Ul-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. The Eid al-Fitr is a feast-day signifying the end of Ramadan. They are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.