Almost as soon as the Arab armies of Islam conquered new lands, they began erecting mosques and palaces and commissioning other works of art as expressions of their faith and culture. Many aspects of religious practice in Islam also emerged and were codified. The religious practice of Islam, which literally means "to submit to God", is based on tenets that are known as the Five Pillars, arkan, to which all members of the Islamic community, Umma, should adhere.
1. The Profession of Faith—The Shahada
The Profession of Faith, the shahada, is the most fundamental expression of Islamic beliefs. It simply states that “There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet.” It underscores the monotheistic nature of Islam. It is an extremely popular phrase in Arabic calligraphy and appears in numerous manuscripts and religious buildings.
- The declaration "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet."
2. Daily Prayers—Salat
- Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. This does not mean that they need to attend a mosque to pray; rather, the salat, or the daily prayer, should be recited five times a day. Muslims can pray anywhere; however, they are meant to pray towards Mecca. The faithful pray by bowing several times while standing and then kneeling and touching the ground or prayer mat with their foreheads, as a symbol of their reverence and submission to Allah. On Friday, many Muslims attend a mosque near midday to pray and to listen to a sermon, khutba.
General Features of Islamic Prayer
- Five prayer times each day:
- early morning
- noon
- mid-afternoon
- sunset
- evening
- Raq'ah: Bowing and prostration. Represents submission to God.
- Qiblah, direction for prayer towards Mecca. Designated by Mihrab, niche in the wall.
- Du'a, spontaneous private prayer exists, but is less important than communal worship.
Elements of Public prayer:
- Minaret (Tower for Muadhdhin to announce services).
- Imam leads prayers. Worshippers stand behind in straight lines.
- Imam or other scholar delivers a sermon (khutba ) from the pulpit (minbar).
- Women are not required to attend prayers. When they do, they usually stand behind the men men.
- Friday, Yawm al-Jum'ah (Day of Assembly), main day of public prayer.
3. Alms-Giving—Zakat
The giving of alms is the third pillar. Although not defined in the Qu’ran, Muslims believe that they are meant to share their wealth with those less fortunate in their community of believers.
- Originally a free-will donation (what is no called Sadaqah).
- Now largely compulsory.
- General rate: 2 1/2% of income annually.
- Given only to needy Muslims, or for religious purposes, etc.
4. Fasting during Ramadan—Saum
During the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk. While there are exceptions made for the sick, elderly, and pregnant, all are expected to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
- In memory of the revelation of the Qur'an.
- During month of Ramadan, daylight hours.
- Those who have medical exemptions etc. should fast at another time.
- 'Id al-Fitr, Feast of Fast-breaking: at beginning of next month.
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca—Hajj
All Muslims who are able are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites at least once in their lives. Pilgrimage focuses on visiting the Kaaba and walking around it seven times. Pilgrimage occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar.
- Every Muslim man and woman (if physically and economically able) should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life-time.
- Egalitarian atmosphere, Ihram:
- donning of simple white garments.
- Refraining from sex, haircuts, jewelry, arguing, etc.
- Importance of the Ka'ba, associations with Abraham, Hagar Ishmael and Muhammad.
Symbolic reenactments of past events:
- Tawaf: Circling Ka'ba counterclockwise seven times, emphasizing its centrality.
- Touching black stone of Ka'bah
- Sa'y: Running seven times between hills and drinking from Zamam spring (recalling Hagar's running for water)
- Throwing 49 stones at stone "Satan"s (recalling the resistance to Satan's attempts to prevent Abraham from sacrificing Ishmael).
- On eighth day pilgrims move to the desert and live in tents. Rituals performed there include:
- Wuquf: Standing in prayer at the Plain of Arafat and Mount of Mercy.
- 'Id al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): Head or household slaughters animal for feast. Meat is also distributed to the poor.
- Return to Mecca for second circling of Ka'bah.
- Most pilgrims also visit Medinah.
Sharia Law के बारे में जानिये Important topic UPSC CLAT 2017
