The five Pillars

Part of submission to will of Allah-Muslims must follow five pillars- visible signs of way of life + unity of Ummah

Shahdah

Declaration of faith 'There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah'

Salah

Compulsory prayer 5 times daily

• Fajr
• Zuhr
• 'Asr
• Maghrib
• 'Isha'

Zakah

Purification of wealth- 2.5% of surplus income given annually

Began in al-Madinah-orphans + widows to be looked after

Regard wealth as a gift from Allah- benefit of humanity + should be shared

Sign of brotherhood + unity

Benefits givers- frees them from greed, materialism, selfishness

Helps spiritual growth- often linked with Salah

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Makkah- during month of Duhl-Hijjah

Once in a lifetime-physically + mentally fit, sufficent funds

Sawm

Fasting- month of Ramadan- daylight hours

Time testing oneself to limits, prayer, good deeds

Time when Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad

Allah looks down with special favour on humanity