THE ISLAM RELIGION.

 

The Five Pillars. Islam.

The first pillar is the profession of faith. It must be recited aloud, correctly, and purposively, with an understanding of its meaning and with an assent from the heart. From this fundamental belief are derived beliefs in angels, the Holy Qur'an, series of prophets, Last Day of Judgment

The second pillar consists of five daily congregational prayers. These prayers may be offered individually if one is unable to go to the mosque. The first prayer is performed before sunrise, the second just after noon, the third in the later afternoon, the fourth immediately after sunset, and the fifth before retiring to bed.

The third pillar is paying the tax zakat. This tax levied by the Qur'an and is payable annually on food grains, cattle, and cash after one year's possession. The amount varies for different categories. Thus, on grains and fruits it is 10 percent if land is watered by rain, 5 percent if land is watered artificially. On cash and precious metals it is 21/2 percent. The tax is collectable by the state and is to be used primarily for the poor, but it may be used for other purposes, like ransoming war captives, redeeming chronic debts, paying tax collectors' fees, jihad, and creating facilities for travelers.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan, is the fourth pillar of the faith. Fasting begins at daybreak and ends at sunset, and during the day eating, drinking, and smoking are forbidden.  It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur'an was revealed, on the night of determination, which is observed on the night of 26-27 Ramadan. For a person who is sick or on a journey, fasting may be postponed until another equal number of days. The elderly and the incurably sick are exempted through the daily feeding of one poor person.

The fifth pillar is the annual pilgrimage hajj to Mecca prescribed once in a lifetime, provided one can afford it and provided a person has enough provisions to leave for his family in his absence. A special service is held in the Sacred Mosque on the 7th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Pilgrimage activities begin by the 8th and conclude on the 12th or 13th. All worshippers enter the state of ihram, they wear two seamless garments and avoid sexual intercourse, the cutting of hair and nails, and certain other activities. Pilgrims from outside Mecca observe ihram at specified points en route to the city. The principal activities consist of walking seven times around the Ka'bah,  the kissing of holy Hajar al-Aswad, and the ascent of and running between Mt. Safa and Mt. Marwah seven times. At the second stage of the ritual, the pilgrim proceeds from Mecca to Mina, from there he goes to 'Arafat, where it is essential to hear a sermon and to spend one afternoon. The last rites consist of spending the night at Muzdalifah and offering sacrifice on the last day of ihram, which is the “id” of sacrifice.