Islam – In a Nutshell – A Short Message
The five pillars of Islam are:
- Shahadah (Testimony of Faith) – repeated in every salat (prayer).
- Salat (Prayer) – Five daily obligatory prayers for every sane Muslim during prescribed times.
- Zakat (Giving in charity) – a yearly purification of wealth – 2.5% on declared items and monetary wealth.
- As-Saum (Fasting; abstaining from all foods and drinks) – once a year during the 9th lunar month of Ramadan.
- Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) – once in a lifetime if one has the means to do it. Can also perform for others (i.e. parents).
The Articles of Faith are:
- Belief in the Oneness of God. There is One God, Supreme and Eternal, Creator and Provider, Who is Merciful and Compassionate.
- Belief in the Angels of God (who have no free will but obey the commands of Allah swt).
- Belief in the Revelations (Books) of God (Muslims believe that all revelations came from Allah).
- Belief in the Prophets of God (all the prophets that have been sent by Allah with Muhammad pbuh being last sent to whole mankind).
- Belief in the Day of Judgment (resurrection and judgement that all making will be subjected to).
- Belief in Premeasurement (Qadar) – all what has happened and will happen is already written and known to Allah swt.
