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Final Graded Copy Grade: 95 The Five Doctrinal Tenets of Islam: Supporting
Pillars for the Faithful The Five Doctrinal Tenets of Islam: Supporting Pillars
for the Faithful I. Introduction to Islam A. Numbers in Islam B. The Prophet
Muhammad and the Hadith II. The Five Pillars of Islam A. The Statement of Faith
(Shahadah) B. The Establishment of Prayers (Salah) C. The Giving of Alms (Zakah)
D. Fasting (Sawm) E. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) III. The Effect of the Five
Pillars on the Islamic Life The Five Doctrinal Tenets of Islam: Supporting
Pillars for the Faithful Islam is, debatably, the fastest growing religion in
the world today. At a level of 1.2 billion, they represent approximately 22% of
the world’s population. Moslems make up the second largest religion in the
world, surpassed only to Christianity at 33%. This is according to the 1999
World Almanac and Book of Facts (724).
What is Islam? Who is a Moslem? What do they believe? How does one become a
Moslem? In 1964, Philip K. Hitti addressed the rapid emergence of Islam
throughout the world in his writing History of the Arabs. In his book, he stated
that “every eighth person in our world today is a follower of Muhammad.” He
continues to say “The Moslem call to prayer rings out through most of the
twenty-four hours of the day, encircling the large portion of the globe in its
warm belt” (Hitti 3). Today, some thirty-six years later, Islam has become the
place of comfort, peace, and faith for over one billion people. To have this
type of growth there must be an underlying foundation to the movement. As any
builder can attest, in order for a structure to maintain its integrity the
support for that structure must be stabilized and strengthened. Within the holy
writings of Islam the support and structure of the faithful is proclaimed.
The concept of “no deity except God” is always alive within the heart of a
Moslem. They recognize that he alone is the Creator, the Provider and Sustainer,
and the true Reality; the source of all things – of all benefits and harm. This
belief requires that He be worshipped and obeyed. In the Holy Koran, God has
made obedience to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad incumbent upon the all
believers. The teachings of Prophet Muhammad are available today in the form of
Hadith. Although Islamic faith and beliefs are vast, the establishing doctrine,
i.e., foundation, for Islam remains to be the five pillars of faith. The first
is a statement of faith, the subsequent four are major exercises of faith of
which some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually, and some are
required as a minimum once in a lifetime. The Five Pillars of Islam These Five
Pillars are the frameworks of a Muslim’s life.
At one time, when the Prophet Muhammad was asked to give a definition of
Islam, he named the Five Pillars. In the Hadith, the collection of sayings of
Muhammed, “these exercises of faith are stated to serve man’s spiritual
purposes, satisfy his human needs, and to mark his whole life with a Divine
touch” (Hadith Shih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 7). The writings
comprising the Hadith, while regarded as an excellent guide to living, are not
regarded as having the same status as the Holy Koran (Qur’an). The major duties,
nevertheless, in the life of a Moslem are to fulfill these Five Pillars. They
are: 1. The Statement of Faith (Shahadah) 2. The Establishment of Prayers (Salah)
3. The Giving of Alms (Zakah) 4. Fasting (Sawm), and 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca
(Hajj).
As distinct as the Ten Commandments are to members of the Christian and
Judaic faiths, each of the Five Pillars are direct commands from Allah for his
children. The first of these Pillars is: The Statement of Faith (Shahadah).
Shahadah is the bearing of witness to Allah. This is a declaration of faith. In
his declaration, a Muslim proclaims “ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU
ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH.” The English translation is “I bear witness that
there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness
that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” The Shahadah is repeated at least on a
daily basis. Having acknowledged this within his heart, the second Pillar of
Islam is instituted: The Establishment of Prayers (Salah). Ordered time for
prayers is essential for maximum benefit to both the faith and to the believer.
The Shahadah is to be performed five times a day: morning, at noon,
mid-afternoon, after sunset and just before sleeping. One’s body is to be toward
the holy city of Mecca, or toward the east, where the Prophet Muhammad was born.
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