Islam stresses individual responsibility for one’s actions and attitudes, and the need to strive to be fair and just. The Quran and hadith (sayings of the Prophet) reinforce this idea.
Muslims also believe in a strong sense of community. Their prayers and the practice of zakat support a sense of solidarity and compassion.
Belief
Belief in Allah and Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon them) is a central tenet of Islam. The word “Islam” means submission, and it reflects the belief that God is all-powerful and all-knowing, and that He has a plan for humanity that will bring about peace and prosperity.
It is also a faith that rejects polytheism, idolatry, and all forms of iniquity. Moreover, it affirms that God is all-embracing and forgiving. It is a religion that unites mankind and removes all false barriers of race, color, language, or wealth. It proclaims that all people are equal in the sight of God and that all men are part of the same family.
A standard characterization of belief, especially in the philosophical literature on the subject, is that someone believes P if and only if she or he is disposed to act as though P were true. This is sometimes called the “representational” account of belief. While some philosophers have disputed this intuitive picture of the nature of belief, most have accepted some variation of it as at least an important part of the standard account.
The belief in God and His messengers is also central to the Muslim way of life, along with the concept of tawhid, or oneness of God. Tawhid is the foundation of Islamic teaching and the basis for Islam’s moral and spiritual code. It elevates man to a dignified position as God’s vicegerent on earth and endows him with a lofty purpose: to fashion individual and social existence according to the law revealed by God to His prophets.
As a follow-up to their study of the Five Pillars, ask students to create posters illustrating each one, using the information they gathered on the Student Response Sheet as a guide. They should then use these posters in class to help explain the pillars to their classmates.
Worship
Worship is a vital part of the Muslim faith, and it entails a wide variety of activities. It encompasses all righteous deeds along with devotion, prayer, and remembrance of Allah SWT. It is also an important aspect of a balanced life, in which Muslims strive to achieve success in the world to come while balancing their religious obligations with daily responsibilities and societal expectations.
For instance, Muslims who pray the morning prayers (salat) in a set time and place display worship of their Creator by starting their day on the best possible note. Similarly, those who pay the zakah, or charitable giving, are displaying worship by generously and humbly contributing to the well-being of others. Moreover, those who travel the Hajj, or pilgrimage, are demonstrating a deeper level of worship by fulfilling one of God’s ordained duties.
When performed with the proper intention, any activity can be considered an act of worship. This is because Islam takes a holistic approach to worship, transforming all aspects of human life into acts of submission and obedience to the Creator. It is therefore important to understand that non-ritualistic acts of worship are equally important as those that are ritualized.
It is often difficult for students to balance the Five Pillars with modern lifestyles and societal demands. Have your students talk to Muslims in their community about how they manage to do this, and use resources like Religion & Ethics Newsweekly or NPR that feature features on Muslim lives. This will help them gain a better understanding of the importance of the Five Pillars in the context of everyday life, and will give them hope that it is possible to fulfill these obligations while still enjoying all the benefits that this world has to offer.
Almsgiving
Zakat, or almsgiving, is a pillar of Islam that requires Muslims to give a portion of their wealth to those in need. The zakat donations are an important part of Islam because they help to counteract the temptations of worldly materialism. It also helps to promote a sense of unity among Muslims.
While a person’s right to property enables him to win his daily bread by his labour, illness, old age, labour difficulties, and plagues often impoverish the indigent; and the responsibility of succouring them rests upon those who have plenty (St. Thomas, Summa Theol., II-II, Q. xxxii, art. 5, ad 2am). Hence the obligation of donating to the poor is not superfluous, but is an essential duty (cf. Eph 6:6).
When properly dispensed, the gift of alms benefits both the giver and the recipient. It is therefore a kind of sacrifice that can counteract the idolatry of covetousness, and it is for this reason that St. Cyprian devoted a whole treatise to it (De Opere et Eleemosyna, P.L., IV, 601 sqq).
To be effective, almsgiving must be a real sacrifice. It is not enough to give out of one’s surplus after all his needs have been provided for; it must be a willing act. It is only by this means that the soul can rid itself of stinginess and meanness. It is for this reason that pious people of all kinds, from the mightiest rulers to the humblest merchants, devoted themselves to charitable work by establishing soup kitchens, hospitals, and schools in their cities, as well as libraries and mosques for their spiritual benefit. In this way they fulfilled the commandment of God to “give alms and purify the soul” (Quran 9:103). Aside from being a spiritual practice, it is also an act of obedience and worship.
Fasting
Fasting is one of the most important spiritual and moral duties of Islam. It is a way to purify the soul, develop self control and discipline, strengthen faith, and improve character. It also teaches us to be grateful for the provisions God has given us and to trust Him. It is also a reminder that human beings are helpless before the untamed forces of nature and that they need to be subjected to moral and spiritual discipline in order to remain obedient servants of their Lord.
The practice of fasting requires a great deal of dedication and commitment, especially during the months of Ramadan. It teaches Muslims to be thankful for all that they have and to be more generous and empathetic towards others. It also trains them to be more patient by putting them in situations where they must endure pain and discomfort for long periods of time. It enables them to be more ready for the calamities and difficulties that they will inevitably encounter in life.
The most important reason for Muslims to fast is that it allows them to communicate with God and receive His blessings. When we abstain from food and drink, it is easier to focus on our spiritual needs and concentrate on prayers and reading the Scriptures. It also allows us to turn down the noise of our worldly activities and better hear God’s voice. It is important to set aside a time each day for prayer and study so that we are not distracted by anything else. Moreover, it is recommended that we seek medical advice when attempting to fast for longer periods of time. This is because it is possible for some people to have serious and potentially dangerous health problems if they do not eat or drink for extended periods of time.
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey to places considered holy by a religious community, and it often involves certain ceremonies and rites. Pilgrims are more than tourists; they are travellers with a purpose, seeking new or expanded meaning in their lives. They seek to transfer the benefits of their experiences once they return home.
Pilgrimages have a rich history in all world religions. In Islam, they are known as the Hajj, and it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims from all over the world make this trip to Saudi Arabia. They walk in the footsteps of Abraham and Ishmael, retracing the story of how they built the Kaaba (the cube-shaped building that is the focus of Muslim prayer).
The Hajj is also a time to bond with fellow Muslims from all over the world. They dress in white, or ihram, which removes distinctions of wealth and status among believers. This communal experience promotes peace and understanding between all Muslims, and it reminds people of their shared humanity.
Aside from the Hajj, Muslims can take part in smaller pilgrimages to other holy sites. However, they should understand that these are not meant to be as grand or as long as the Hajj. A pilgrimage should be a time to reflect and gain insight into the nature of God, which can only happen in a place that is sacred to Islam. A pilgrimage can be a very transformative experience, and it can give Muslims greater meaning in their lives. It can also help them feel closer to Allah. For this reason, it is important for all Muslims to try to go on the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.