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Five
Pillars of Islam |
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Declaration
of Faith:
recognizing that there is no
god but Allah and Mohammad is the Messenger of GOD
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Establishment
of Regular Prayer:
Obligatory prayers are
performed five times a day and are a direct link between the
worshiper and God. There is no hierarchical authority or
priesthood in Islam, so group prayers are led by a person
learned in the Qur'an. These prayers, whether performed in
congregation or individually, contain verses from the Qur'an
and are said in Arabic, the language of the revelation
itself. Personal supplication can be offered in one's own
language. Prayers are performed at dawn, noon,
mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall and thus determine the
rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable for men
to pray together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost
anywhere, such as in the field, office, factory or
university. In fact, visitors to the Muslim world are struck
by the centrality of prayers in daily life.
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Required
Expenditure:
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 zakah means both purification and growth. Each Muslim
calculates his or her own zakah individually. For most
purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a
half percent of the capital in excess of one's basic needs.
One may also give as much as he or she pleases in voluntary
charity (sadaqah), seeking additional reward. This is
preferably done in secret. Although the word "sadaqah"
can be translated as charity, it has a wider meaning
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Fasting:
Fasting involves abstinence
from eating, drinking, smoking and marital intercourse, is
observed throughout the daylight hours of the 29 or 30 days
of the lunar month of Ramadan in obedience to God's command.
This teaches the believers patience and self-control, as
well as reminding them of their responsibility for the
millions of human beings in the world who lack provisions or
are victims of their unjust distribution. The month of
fasting is accompanied by increased efforts toward good
manners and righteous deeds, along with additional worship
at night. It is not a retreat from life, but rather, a
supplement to one's ordinary activities
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Pilgrimage
to Mecca:
The annual pilgrimage to
Mecca is an obligation only for those who are physically and
financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two
million people go to Mecca each year from every corner of
the globe, providing a unique opportunity for those of
different nations to meet one another. Pilgrims wear special
clothing simple garments which strip away distinctions of
class and culture so that all stand equal before God.
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"There
are more Muslims in North America then Jews Now."
-Dan Rathers, CBS NEWS
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"If
a man like Muhammed were to assume the dictatorship of the
modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems that
would bring it the much needed peace and
happiness." -George Bernard Shaw
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"Islam
is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and
pillar of stability for many of our people..." -Hillary
Rodham Clinton, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1996
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"Islam
is the world's second-largest religion -- second only to
Christianity" - Barbra Rogers CBS
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"Muhammed
is the most successful of all Prophets and religious
personalities." -Encyclopedia Britannica
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"My
choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most
influential persons may surprise some readers and may be
questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who
was supremely successful on both the religious and secular
level."
-Michael H. Hart, 1978
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I
became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword
that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of
life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement
of the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his
intense devotion to his friends and followers, his
intrepidity, his
fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own
mission. -Mahatma Gandhi 1924
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