5 Pillars of Islam

What are the central beliefs of Islam, and how are they reflected in the "Five Pillars” (McInerney, 2003)?

Islam seems very straight forward and only has a few key concepts that are an overview of all concepts and teachings. The following is a statement from the Nation of Islam:

“Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, purity, acceptance and commitment. As a religion, Islam calls for complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of God.
A Muslim is one who freely and willingly accepts the supreme power of God and strives to organize his life in total accord with the teachings of God. He also works for building social institutions which reflect the guidance of God.”

The central beliefs of Islam are peace, purity, acceptance, and commitment. There are also the 5 Pillars of Islam that are a roadmap to follow the central beliefs of Islam. The first Pillar of Islam is called the Shahadah – one of the key prayers in Islam: “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” This Pillar of Islam reflects both acceptance and commitment of the Islam faith. Chanting the Shahadah, one begins to believe and understand that there is only one god, and Muhammad is his messenger – this is acceptance. Commitment is reflected by spreading the word of God; however coercion (unlike the Christian Crusades) is not allowed. The following is an excerpt from the Qur’an – the Islam central text:

“Let there be no compulsion
In religion: Truth stands out
Clear from Error: whoever
Rejects Evil and believes
In God hath grasped
The most trustworthy
Hand-hold, that never breaks.”

The second Pillar of Islam is Salah – the requirement to pray five times a day at fixed times. This second Pillar is a reflection of all four Islamic central beliefs; peace, purity, acceptance and commitment. The reflection of commitment and commitment versus having mandated prayer daily is obvious. Peace and purity are reflected in the mass prayers. Classless, and raceless, worshipers stand / kneel shoulder to shoulder in prayer across the globe at the same times uniting the religion as a whole in brotherhood. A quote from Muhammad: “You must know that a Muslim is the brother of a Muslim and the Muslims are one brotherhood.”

The third Pillar of Islam is Zakat – spiritual tithing and almsgiving; this is basically charitable tax. Every household must give at least 2.5% of their annual accumulated wealth to needy Muslims (not to be confused with an Islamic worshipper). “Saudi Arabia devotes fifteen percent of its kingdom’s GDP to development and relief projects throughout the world. The Islamic Relief Organization that it funds makes a point of helping people of all religions, without discrimination, where there is great need following disasters.” (Fisher, 2005) The third Pillar of Islam is a reflection of peace and purity.

The fourth Pillar of Islam is Sawm, or fasting, is a reflection both of acceptance and commitment. While frequent fasting is encouraged, the only mandatory fast is during Ramadan, representing the first revelations of the Qur’an to Muhammad.

“Because Muslims use a lunar calendar of 354 days, the month of Ramadan gradually moves through all the seasons. When it falls in the summer, the period of fasting is much longer than in the shortest days of winter. The hardship of abstaining even from drinking water during these long and hot days is an unselfish surrender to God’s commandment and an assertion of control over the lower desires. The knowledge that Muslims all over the world are making these sacrifices at the same time builds a special bond between haves and have-nots, helping the haves to experience what it is to be hungry, to share in the condition of the poor. Those who have are encouraged to be especially generous in their almsgiving during Ramadan.” (Fisher, 2005)

The fifth and final Pillar of Islam is Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is considered very important and a point of pride to have completed the hajj at least once in your life and become a hajji. This final Pillar of Islam reflects all of the central beliefs of Islam.

Which of the Five Pillars do you feel would be easiest to fulfill, and which would be the most challenging (McInerney, 2003)?

Personally I think that the fourth Pillar of Islam, Sawm, would be the hardest. That might be my largest weakness is food. I understand that Sawm is not supposed to be about the physicality of the lack of food but the spirituality of being more in tune with your body and spirit. Knowing that, I would be lying if I said that this Pillar of Islam would be easy to follow.

The easiest Pillar of Islam would be the take the pilgrimage. Now there are factors of finance, time, physical hardship, and mental hardship, but I think this would be the easiest to accomplish. It is more of a matter of what Nike is so fond of saying: “Just Do It.”