unit 4 essay

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Timothy Vosberg
Student ID: 63840
GED250 – World Religions
Unit 4

Question 2: Describe in detail the set of religious observances known as the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars of Islam are the five basic aspects of life that the Muslim faith’s framework is built on. They are identified as the confession of faith, prayer, giving to the poor, fasting and the pilgrimage to Mecca. Shahadah, or declaration of faith, is to say “there is no god but God.” It is a way for a person to show that they believe there is nothing more worthy of their praise and worship than Allah. It is also an understanding that Muhammad is the spokesman for God and that Muhammad was chose by God to deliver the Qur’an. The second pillar, Salah, or prayers, are performed in a ritualistic manner at five predetermined times throughout the day, early morning, noon, late afternoon, sunset and night. The prayers are spread throughout the day to help remember Allah at all times. Before saying prayers one must be clean and prayers must also be said in a clean place. They should also always be said while facing in the direction of Mecca. The third pillar is giving to the poor, known as Almsgiving. There are two types of giving. The first is known as Sadaqah and can be any amount of money, given at any time throughout the year. The second type of giving is known as Zakah. Zakah is the fundamentally obligated giving of a small predetermined percentage of one’s wealth to the needy. The fourth pillar is fasting during Ramadan, also known as Sawm. Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar and is considered to be the most sacred month on the Islamic

Timothy Vosberg
Student ID: 63840
GED250 – World Religions
Unit 4

calendar as this is the month Muhammad first received revelations from