Sikhism and Islam are two religions which are not as different as one would think. The two religions are built on similar, yet different formulas that followers of the religion are expected to follow as they follow other traditions in their religion. The formulas or pillars, are seen as the values which are expressed by the religion and upon which it is based on. One of the noticeable differences between the Sikh pillars and Islam pillars is the amount of pillars: Sikhism has three pillars, whilst Islam stands by five. While Islam stands by its five pillars and Sikhism by three, upon closer look, the pillars have more in similarity than differences. For Sikhism, the three pillars are “Nām japo, kirat karo, vand chhako” (WH MCLEOD, p. 2). …show more content…
These pillars are more speaking to the faith of the followers and following the five pillars is necessary of them (Islam, page 294). In translation, the five pillars stand for different things. The first pillar, shahada, is the “profession of faith”, having faith which is having beliefs and trust on faith of Islam (Islam, page 294). Salat, the second one, “is the imperative to pray five times daily”, allowing followers time to reflect and focus on their connection between them and God (Islam, page 294). The third pillar, zakat, is sharing with others and is done once a year. It “is the requirement to pay alms to the needy on behalf of one’s family and business” (Islam, page 294). Siam, the fourth pillar, is related to fasting during Ramadan. It is the “imperative to fast from food, drink and sex during daylight t hours” and the purpose of this fasting lies in teaching discipline and allowing the individual to reflect on oneself (Islam, page 295). The final pillar, hajj, refers to the “pilgrimage to Mecca” that occurs once in the follower’s lifetime, but only if they are “financially, mentally and physically capable” of doing so (Islam, page …show more content…
The second pillar of Islam, salat, and the first pillar of Sikhism, Nām japo, while are different in terms of how prayers are conducted, but overall are similar. The two refer to daily prayers, done so in the name of the Divine being or God (Islam, page 294, Cheema, 2016, page 15). The biggest similarity between the pillars is that of sharing one’s wealth and earnings with others. Vand chakko and zakat enforce related practices into the respective religion’s followers, the idea of giving a part what one earns to others who are in need, in various forms (food, money, service to the community) (Islam, page 294, Cheema, 2016, page