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The '''Five Pillars of Islam''' (أركان الإسلام الخمسة, ''arkaan ul-islaam al-khamsa'') is the term given to the five duties which are compulsory ([[Fard]]) for every Muslim. It is a set of beliefs specific to the [[Sunni]]s who belong to the mainstream, orthodox version of the religion.<ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+af0060) "Sunni and Shia Islam"], Library of Congress Country Studies, accessed September 4, 2011.</ref> This concept is not found in the [[Qur'an]], but within the [[Sirat Rasul Allah|sirah]] and [[hadith]], without which four of the five [[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible#Five Pillars of Islam|pillars would not exist]].  
The '''Five Pillars of Islam''' (أركان الإسلام الخمسة, ''arkaan ul-islaam al-khamsa'') is the term given to the five duties which are compulsory ([[Fard]]) for every Muslim. It is a set of beliefs specific to the [[Sunni]]s who belong to the mainstream, orthodox version of the religion.<ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+af0060) "Sunni and Shia Islam"], Library of Congress Country Studies, accessed September 4, 2011.</ref> This concept is not found in the [[Qur'an]], but within the [[Sirat Rasul Allah|sirah]] and [[hadith]], outside of which the specific formulation of the five pillars [[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible#Five Pillars of Islam|is absent]].  


==Shahadah==
==Shahadah==


The [[Shahadah]], which means "testimony", is the name of the [[Islam|Islamic]] profession of faith. It is the most important of all Five Pillars, and its recitation in [[Arabic]] is required for a person to become a Muslim.<ref>[http://www.themodernreligion.com/convert/islam_conversion_main.htm Embracing Islam] - The Modern Religion</ref> It reads, "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Shi'ite Muslims may add "and Ali is the friend of Allah," but this is not obligatory.<ref>[http://www.mideastweb.org/Middle-East-Encyclopedia/shahada.htm Shahada] - Encyclopedia of the Middle East.</ref>
The [[Shahadah]], which means "testimony", is the name of the [[Islam|Islamic]] profession of faith. It is the most important of all Five Pillars, and its recitation in [[Arabic]] is required for a person to become a Muslim.<ref>[http://www.themodernreligion.com/convert/islam_conversion_main.htm Embracing Islam] - The Modern Religion</ref> It reads, "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Shi'ite Muslims add "and Ali is the friend of Allah," but do not consider the additon obligatory.<ref>[http://www.mideastweb.org/Middle-East-Encyclopedia/shahada.htm Shahada] - Encyclopedia of the Middle East.</ref>


==Salah==
==Salah==
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[[Salah]] is the practice of formal [[prayers|prayer]] in Islam. It is a ritual prayer, having prescribed conditions, procedures, and times. It consists of five daily prayers: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (evening), and Isha'a (night). Muslims must wash before prayer; this washing is called [[Ablution|wudu]] ("purification").
[[Salah]] is the practice of formal [[prayers|prayer]] in Islam. It is a ritual prayer, having prescribed conditions, procedures, and times. It consists of five daily prayers: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (evening), and Isha'a (night). Muslims must wash before prayer; this washing is called [[Ablution|wudu]] ("purification").


Even though it's called "a pillar of Islam", early Muslims didn't practice it. Muhammad started his religion in 610 and prayer became obligatory after Isra and Mi'raj<ref>https://islamqa.info/en/answers/145725/when-was-prayer-made-obligatory-how-did-the-muslims-pray-before-prayer-was-made-obligatory</ref> around the year 621.
The earliest Muslims, however, did not practice this ritual prayer. Muhammad started his religion in 610 and prayer became obligatory after Isra and Mi'raj<ref>https://islamqa.info/en/answers/145725/when-was-prayer-made-obligatory-how-did-the-muslims-pray-before-prayer-was-made-obligatory</ref> around the year 621.


==Sawm==
==Sawm==
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[[Sawm]] is the term which refers to Islamic [[fasting]]. The observance of sawm during the Islamic month of Ramadan is compulsory.<ref>Farah (1994), p.144-145</ref> Adherents usually wake up before dawn and [[Food|eat]] and [[Drinks|drink]] to prepare for the fast. During the fast, they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in [[Sex|sexual intercourse]] from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib).
[[Sawm]] is the term which refers to Islamic [[fasting]]. The observance of sawm during the Islamic month of Ramadan is compulsory.<ref>Farah (1994), p.144-145</ref> Adherents usually wake up before dawn and [[Food|eat]] and [[Drinks|drink]] to prepare for the fast. During the fast, they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in [[Sex|sexual intercourse]] from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib).


If fasting is a necessary pillar of Islam, then it means that the whole Meccan period and two years of Medinan period wasn't Islam:
The earliest Muslims, however, did not practice this ritual fast until two years after the Hijra, around the year 624:
{{Quote|[https://islamqa.info/en/answers/37649/when-was-fasting-enjoined islamqa.info: When was fasting enjoined?]|
{{Quote|[https://islamqa.info/en/answers/37649/when-was-fasting-enjoined islamqa.info: When was fasting enjoined?]|
Fasting the month of Ramadaan was enjoined in 2 AH
Fasting the month of Ramadaan was enjoined in 2 AH
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[[Zakat]] is an obligatory [[taxes|tax]]<ref name="EBZT">{{cite web|url= http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/655448/zakat|title= zakat (Islamic tax)|publisher= Encyclopedia Britannica|author= |date= accessed November 16, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2FEBchecked%2Ftopic%2F655448%2Fzakat&date=2013-11-15|deadurl=no}}</ref> required of Muslims, amounting to about 2.5% of one's wealth over the course of a year. Under the [[Caliph|caliphates]], the collection and expenditure of zakat was a function of the state (this still remains the case in countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]]).<ref name="EBZT"></ref> [[Slavery|Slaves]] and horses owned by Muslims are exempt from this taxation,<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim"''" - {{Bukhari|2|24|542}}</ref><ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira :- The Prophet said,"There is no Zakat either on a slave or on a horse belonging to a Muslim.''" - {{Bukhari|2|24|543}}</ref> and it is generally agreed that [[non-Muslims]] are not to benefit from the alms giving.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=984|title= The way of giving Zakat al-Fitr in non-Islamic Lands|publisher= IslamicAwakening|author= Haytham bin Jawwad al-Haddad|series= Article ID: 984|date= November 20, 2002|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=984&date=2011-05-09|deadurl=no}}</ref>
[[Zakat]] is an obligatory [[taxes|tax]]<ref name="EBZT">{{cite web|url= http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/655448/zakat|title= zakat (Islamic tax)|publisher= Encyclopedia Britannica|author= |date= accessed November 16, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2FEBchecked%2Ftopic%2F655448%2Fzakat&date=2013-11-15|deadurl=no}}</ref> required of Muslims, amounting to about 2.5% of one's wealth over the course of a year. Under the [[Caliph|caliphates]], the collection and expenditure of zakat was a function of the state (this still remains the case in countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]]).<ref name="EBZT"></ref> [[Slavery|Slaves]] and horses owned by Muslims are exempt from this taxation,<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim"''" - {{Bukhari|2|24|542}}</ref><ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira :- The Prophet said,"There is no Zakat either on a slave or on a horse belonging to a Muslim.''" - {{Bukhari|2|24|543}}</ref> and it is generally agreed that [[non-Muslims]] are not to benefit from the alms giving.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=984|title= The way of giving Zakat al-Fitr in non-Islamic Lands|publisher= IslamicAwakening|author= Haytham bin Jawwad al-Haddad|series= Article ID: 984|date= November 20, 2002|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=984&date=2011-05-09|deadurl=no}}</ref>


Zakat was enjoined second year after hijra. <ref>https://www.islamweb.net/ar/fatwa/20247/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%A9</ref>
Zakat, like Sawm and Salah was not practiced by the earliest Muslims, and was only enjoined second year after hijra, around the year 624.<ref>https://www.islamweb.net/ar/fatwa/20247/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%A9</ref>


==Hajj==
==Hajj==
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The [[Hajj]] is a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca which every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make at least once in their life.<ref name="Farah">Farah (1994), p.145-147</ref> The pilgrimage takes place on the 12<sup>th</sup> month of the Islamic calendar (Dhu al-Hijjah). The main rituals include walking seven times around the [[Kaaba|Ka'aba]], touching the [[Black Stone]], traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina.<ref>Hoiberg (2000), p.237–238</ref>
The [[Hajj]] is a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca which every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make at least once in their life.<ref name="Farah">Farah (1994), p.145-147</ref> The pilgrimage takes place on the 12<sup>th</sup> month of the Islamic calendar (Dhu al-Hijjah). The main rituals include walking seven times around the [[Kaaba|Ka'aba]], touching the [[Black Stone]], traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina.<ref>Hoiberg (2000), p.237–238</ref>


It's not clear when hajj was enjoined, but it was after the hijra according to most scholars. <ref>https://mawdoo3.com/%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A3%D9%8A_%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9_%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B6_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AC</ref>
It's not clear when hajj was enjoined, but it was after the hijra according to most scholars.<ref>https://mawdoo3.com/%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A3%D9%8A_%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9_%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B6_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AC</ref>


==Jihad==
==Jihad and other pillars==


[[Jihad]] is sometimes referred to as the ''sixth pillar of Islam'',<ref>Iman al-Khashab, [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.moheet.com/show_files.aspx?fid=354098|2=2011-02-04}} "Why It Is Considered Our Sixth Pillar of Islam – Jihad Is Ordained to Establish the Word of Allah"], Moheet (Arabic), March 13, 2010 ([[Moheet: "The Purpose of Jihad Is to Establish the Word of Allah"|English translation]]).</ref> as it is also a [[Jihad is Compulsory (Fard)|compulsory duty]], and Prophet [[Muhammad]] referred to it as "better than standing in prayer for sixty years"<ref>''"Standing for an hour in the ranks of battle is better than standing in prayer for sixty years."'' - Saheeh related by Ibn Ade and Ibn Asakir from Abu Hurayrah 4/6165. Sahih al Jaami as Sagheer no. 4305</ref> and second in importance only to the belief in Allah and himself.<ref>''"Allah's Apostle was asked, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, "What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, "To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's Cause.""'' - {{Bukhari|1|2|26}}</ref> According to some [[Shiite|Shi'ite]] sects it is the seventh not sixth pillar.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.fact-index.com/s/si/sixth_pillar_of_islam.html|title= Sixth pillar of Islam|publisher= The Fact-Index|author= |date= accessed November 17, 2013|archiveurl= http://archive.is/5LHgp|deadurl=no}}</ref>
[[Jihad]] is sometimes referred to as the ''sixth pillar of Islam'',<ref>Iman al-Khashab, [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.moheet.com/show_files.aspx?fid=354098|2=2011-02-04}} "Why It Is Considered Our Sixth Pillar of Islam – Jihad Is Ordained to Establish the Word of Allah"], Moheet (Arabic), March 13, 2010 ([[Moheet: "The Purpose of Jihad Is to Establish the Word of Allah"|English translation]]).</ref> as it is also a [[Jihad is Compulsory (Fard)|compulsory duty]], and Prophet [[Muhammad]] referred to it as "better than standing in prayer for sixty years"<ref>''"Standing for an hour in the ranks of battle is better than standing in prayer for sixty years."'' - Saheeh related by Ibn Ade and Ibn Asakir from Abu Hurayrah 4/6165. Sahih al Jaami as Sagheer no. 4305</ref> and second in importance only to the belief in Allah and himself.<ref>''"Allah's Apostle was asked, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, "What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, "To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's Cause.""'' - {{Bukhari|1|2|26}}</ref> According to some [[Shiite|Shi'ite]] sects it is the seventh not sixth pillar (the first and second being ''Walayah'' with Allah, or having a personal relationship with God, and ''taharah'', or purity).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.fact-index.com/s/si/sixth_pillar_of_islam.html|title= Sixth pillar of Islam|publisher= The Fact-Index|author= |date= accessed November 17, 2013|archiveurl= http://archive.is/5LHgp|deadurl=no}}</ref>


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible#Five Pillars of Islam|Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible]]  
 
*[[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible#Five Pillars of Islam|Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible]]


==References==
==References==
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