Basic Tenets of Islam

BBC - Religions - Islam: Basic articles of faith

Worshipers then utter other Quranic verses while completing the ritual bowing, which is followed by prostration, performed on the knees with both hands on the ground and the forehead touching between them. Worshipers repeat their glorification of God and prostration three times. The entire cycle of prayer rakah is then repeated. After every two cycles and after the third cycle in the sunset prayer, the worshiper sits back on the heels and addresses God with a ritual prayer calling forth God's blessings upon Muhammad.

After completing all cycles of canonical prayer, the worshiper sits back on the heels and recites the shahadah, formally reaffirming the truth of Islam and engaging the worshiper in direct communication with God. Private petitions are then offered. Formal blessings are requested upon Muhammad and Abraham. The prayer ends with an invocation of peace. Every canonical prayer requires between two and four rakahs.

In total, seventeen rakahs are performed daily. The third pillar is the zakah alms tax , typically paid to a religious official or representative of the Islamic state or to a representative of a local mosque. This amount is traditionally set at one-fortieth, or 2. It is used to feed the poor, encourage conversion to Islam, ransom captives, help travelers, support those devoting themselves to God's work, relieve debtors, defend the faith, and any other purpose deemed appropriate.

Basic articles of faith

The zakah serves as a reminder of one's broader social responsibilities to the community. The fourth pillar is observation of the monthlong fast sawm of Ramadan the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar , from sunrise to sunset.

The believer is supposed to abstain from food, drink, and sexual activity during the daylight hours, demonstrating affirmation of ethical awareness and serving as a purifying act of sacrifice of one's bodily desires for the sake of God. The direct experience of pain and hunger over a prolonged period of time reminds the believer of the pain and hunger experienced by the poor. The fifth pillar is the pilgrimage to Mecca during the first ten days of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Every Muslim who is physically and financially capable of making the trip and performing the prescribed rites is required to make the hajj. The nine essential rites of the hajj are the putting on of the ihram unsewn cloth symbolizing the humility and equality of all believers , circumambulation of the Kaaba, standing at the plain of Arafat, spending the night at Muzdalifa, throwing stones at three symbols of Satan, sacrifice of an animal at Mina, repetition of the circumambulation of the Kaaba, drinking of water from the well of Zamzam, and performance of two cycles of prayer at the Station of Abraham.

Belief in One God: The most important teaching of Islam is that only God is to be served and worshipped. Also, the biggest sin in Islam is to worship other beings with God. In fact, Muslims believe that it is the only sin that God does not forgive if a person dies before repenting from it. God created unseen beings called angels who work tirelessly to administer His kingdom in full obedience. The angels surround us at all times, each has a duty; some record our words and deeds. Belief in Prophets of God: Muslims believe that God communicates His guidance through human prophets sent to every nation.

The main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One true God and He alone is worthy of being supplicated to and worshipped.

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Belief in Revealed Books of God: Over time, however, the original teachings of these books got distorted or lost. Belief in Day of Judgment: The life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on an appointed day. At that time, every person will be raised from the dead. God will judge each person individually, according to his faith and his good and bad actions. God will show mercy and fairness in judgment. According to Islamic teachings, those who believe in God and perform good deeds will be eternally rewarded in Heaven. Those who reject faith in God will be eternally punished in the fire of Hell.

Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree: Muslims believe that since God is the Sustainer of all life, nothing happens except by His Will and with His full knowledge. This belief does not contradict the idea of free will. God does not force us, our choices are known to God beforehand because His knowledge is complete. This recognition helps the believer through difficulties and hardships. In Islam, worship is part of daily life and is not limited to mere rituals. The formal acts of worship are known as the five "pillars" of Islam. The five pillars of Islam are the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.

The Declaration of Faith is more than just a statement; it must be shown with one's actions. To convert to the faith of Islam, a person has to say this statement. Prayer is a method by wh ich a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind.

Pillars of Islam

Muslims perform five formal prayers a day. A type of charity. Muslims recognize that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return. In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy. Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset. The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan in which no food, drink and sex is allowed during the fast. After sunset one can enjoy these things. During this month Muslims practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion.

During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathize with those in the world who have little to eat. The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia.

Core Religious Practice of Islam: The Five "Pillars" of Islam

It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim. Typically, million perform hajj every year. Scholars consider Surah al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, to be the core of the Quran.

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It is recited in every formal prayer in the Arabic language. All praise and thanks are for God, the Lord of the worlds. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the Straight Path of Islam , the path of those You have blessed, not the path of those who have incurred Your wrath nor of those who have gone astray.

To listen the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha click here. Classical scholars of Islam have condensed the teachings of Prophet Muhammad into a few statements. These comprehensive statements touch every aspect of our lives. Some of them are:. In the vision of Islam, they are known as "essentials" because they are considered essential to human welfare. In conclude, if someone were to ask, what is the core of Islam in the fewest possible words, the answer would be, "it is within the word Islam itself: Assalaamu alay kum, Masha-Allah good article.

I think the core of the Prophet's teaching and the core of the Shariah need a brief elaboration. Has God hidden the answer untill now? I found this interesting and helpful, as I'm trying to understand the religion Islam and the beliefs behind it, so, thank you. Your favorites list is empty. You may add articles to this list using the article tools. This web site has several customizations made specifically for you, such as: These features are based on cookies and will work correctly only when you use the same computer.

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