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The principles of the Islam religion is based upon the five pillars. They show or reflect Muslim beliefs. The first pillar is the declaration in the Shahada, or witness, that there is no other god existing except Allah who sent Muhummad the messenger (rasul) to speak the fullest truth. The second pillar involves the participation in salat, in which one prays five times a day. The call to pray throughout the day is made by a human voice so one can connect to it. The Arabic prayers allow them to connect to God. Fridays at noon are an extremely important time of prayer of salat that requires much respect. The third pillar is the payment of a tax called a zakat to the less fortunate. It is a mandatory tax of 2.5% of one's salary paid to the needy and is seen as a purifying action and a way to grow closer to God through helping others. The fourth pillar is the self purification through fasting during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan which is also known as sawm. The fifth pillar is the pilgramage to Mecca known as a Hajj that if possible should be made at least once in a person's lifetime.
The sources of the principles of Islam come from the Koran which is the literal word of Allah; the Sunnah which refers to Muhummad and his ministry; Ijmah (minor source) and Quyah that deals with situations in which sources had no rules. Analogical reasoning was used to find the meaning of certain things in a person's life. To understand some of these sources, the Sunni tradition of creating schools of thought that paraphrased ideas of these sources and to have a person explain the Koran to believers, were practiced.
Quiz- Tawhid- oneness of God
Hajj- one of the 5 pillars; pilgramage to Mecca
Rasul- messenger; Muhammad, the last messenger to reveal the truth to its fullest.
Muhammad, the Rasul sent to reveal the truth to its fullest, journied from Mecca to Medina which is also known as the Hijrah. While in Medina. As a result of his journey, a journey known as Hajj (journey to Mecca) would be completed and become the last pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam.
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