What are the Five Pillars of Islam ?
Morocco is an Islamic country and its people are predominantly Muslims. For many, it will be your first experience of an Islamic country. Islam is a way of life and as you travel you will witness people living their religion. As a Muslim one is expected to: (1) take a declaration of faith; (2) pray 5 times a day facing Mecca; (3) fast from daybreak to sunset during the month of Ramadan; (4) give alms/charity; (5) visit Mecca once in one’s lifetime, if possible When you travel throughout Morocco you will witness the declaration of people’s faith e.g. praying in the street or fasting during Ramadan. Please be respectful as you would expect them to be in your country!
They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer, concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able. 1. FAITH There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa’Llah – ‘there is no god except God’; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God — wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa’Llah:’ except God, the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu’Llah: ‘Muhammad is the messenger of God’. A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves. A translation of the Call to Prayer is: God is most great. God is most great. God is most great. God is most great. I testify that there is no god except God. I testify that there is no god except God. I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
1. The Declaration of Faith – This consists of the two sentence declaration described above. 2. Prayer – Muslims perform five obligatory prayers each day. Islamic prayers are a direct link between the worshiper and God. Islam has no hierarchical authority or priesthood. A learned Muslim chosen by each congregation leads the prayers. 3. Zakat – One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God and that wealth is held in trust by human beings. Zakat, or charitable giving, “purifies” wealth by setting aside a portion for those in need. This payment is usually two and a half percent of one’s capital. 4. Fasting – Every year in the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from first light until sunset. The fast is another method of self-purification. 5. Pilgrimage – A pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, is an obligation for those who are physically or financially able. What about the American Muslim community? * There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in America.
