5 Pillars Of Islam

From the beginnings of Muhammad’s revelation to today, Muslims have kept his teachings to heart. To help continue the Islam lifestyle, Muhammad created the Five Pillars of Islam to sustain the religion and followers. In The World’s Religions, Huston Smith gives descriptions for all five pillars to help outsiders to understand and appreciate the faith more, which can do just that. The first of the Five Pillars is the Shahadah. It is the Islam Creed which is simple the “confession of faith” (216). The creed states that “there is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet” which Muslims put much emphasis on God being the sole creator (216). Muslim must say it correctly with much care and respect, “slow” and “aloud” (216). The Shahadah is actually used several times in a Muslim’s life depending on if the person is “overwhelm” in life (216). In a way, it can a help the follower

Based off their terms, the rich should give/share with the poor and to help with this, a “2 1/2 percent tax” is imposed on the “middle and upper” classes’ incomes and holdings (218-219). The money from the taxation is specifically given to the people assigned by the Koran: for example, anyone who has “immediate needs” and slaves buying their freedom” (219). With this tax and other methods applied to charity, the poor will be able to obtain their needs. Moving to the fourth, Ramadan is considered “Islam’s holy month”. During this time, followers take time to remember the time of Muhammad’s revelation and pilgrimage to Medina by fasting for the month (219). Muslims must sustain from any “food”, “drink”, or “smoke” from “dawn” to sunset (219). The fast can either fall on winter or summer and can only be done by Muslims who are healthy and have non-interfering/ mandatory plans (219). Ramadan allows followers to become dependent on God and increase their “compassion” and understanding for the less fortunate (219). From this, agreement and oneness can