Editing Five Pillars of Islam (section)

==Pillars of Sunni Islam==
[[File:Five pillars of Islam.svg|thumb|250px|The Five Pillars of Islam]]
[[File:5 Pillars of Islam artwork in the Garden of Religions.jpg|thumb|250px|An artwork depicting the 5 pillars]]

=== First pillar: Shahada (Declaration of Faith) ===
{{main|Shahada}}

The first pillar of Islam is the ''[[Shahada]]'', the assertion of faith. There are two shahadas: "There is no god but God" and "Muhammad is the messenger of God". This set statement is normally recited in Arabic: ''lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāhu muḥammadun rasūlu-llāh'' ({{lang|ar|لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله}}) "There is no god but God (and) Muhammad is the messenger of God."  It is essential to utter it to become a Muslim and to convert to Islam.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vHG_VulBdd4C&q=convert+islam+shahada&pg=PA87|title=Matthew S. Gordon and Martin Palmer, ''Islam'', Info base Publishing, 2009|year=2009|isbn=9781438117782|page=87|access-date=2012-08-26|last1=Gordon|first1=Matthew|publisher=Infobase }}</ref>

The first shahada promotes the essential unity of the faith, proclaiming that there is no god but God. The Tawhid, which is the prayer that states "no god but God" is a major component of the Islamic faith, for it asserts the monotheistic aspect of Islam, promoting unity of God as the source of existence. The second shahada demonstrates God's essential mercy. This prayer proclaims Muhammad as the last prophet, and it uses Muhammad as the prime example of guidance for all Muslims. Muhammad received revelation that was distorted by earlier communities, such as Jewish and Christian societies; Muhammad was the recipient of  the Quran's guidance himself and now is bearer of this guidance for the rest of the Muslim community throughout history.<ref name="Samsel, Peter 2007">Samsel, Peter. "The First Pillar of Islam." Parabola, 2007.</ref>

The Shahada, or profession of faith is said five times a day during prayer.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016">Crotty, Robert. ''The Five Pillars of Islam:'' ''Islam: Its Beginnings and History, Its Theology, and Its Importance Today''.  Adelaide: ATF Technology, 2016.</ref> It is the first thing said to a newborn, and the last thing to a person on their death-bed, showing how the Muslim prayer and the pillars are instrumental from the day a person is born until the day they die.<ref name="Samsel, Peter 2007"/>

=== Second Pillar: Salah (Prayer) ===
{{main|Salah}}

The Second Pillar of [[Islam|Sunni Islam]] is [[Salah]], or prayer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam|title=Islam - Prayer|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2020-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210092158/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam|archive-date=2020-02-10|url-status=live}}</ref> Before a prayer is observed, ablutions are performed including washing one's hands, face and feet.<ref name=":1"/> A caller ([[Muezzin]] in [[Arabic]]) chants aloud from a raised place in the mosque.<ref name=":1"/> Verses from the [[Quran]] are recited either loudly or silently.<ref name=":1" /> These prayers are a very specific type of prayer and a very physical type of prayer called [[Sujud|prostrations]]. These prayers are done five times a day, at set strict times, with the individual facing [[Mecca]]. The prayers are performed at dawn, noon, afternoon, evening, and night: the names are according to the prayer times: ''[[Fajr]]'' (dawn), ''[[Dhuhr]]'' (noon), ''[[Asr|ʿAṣr]]'' (afternoon), ''[[Maghrib prayer|Maghrib]]'' (evening), and ''[[Isha'|ʿIshāʾ]]'' (night). The Fajr prayer is performed before sunrise, Dhuhr is performed in the midday after the sun has surpassed its highest point, Asr is the evening prayer before sunset, Maghrib is the evening prayer after sunset and Isha is the night prayer. All of these prayers are recited while facing in the direction of the [[Kaaba]] in Mecca and form an important aspect of the [[Muslim Ummah]]. Muslims must wash before prayer; this washing is called ''[[wudu]]'' ("purification"). The prayer is accompanied by a series of set positions including; bowing with hands on knees, standing, prostrating and sitting in a special position (not on the heels, nor on the buttocks). At every change in position, "[[Takbir|God is great]]" is said and it is a fixed tradition that has to be recited in each posture. A [[Muslim]] may perform their prayer anywhere, such as in offices, universities, and fields.  However, the [[mosque]] is the preferable place for prayers because the mosque allows for fellowship.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/> These prayers may also be observed individually if one is not able to go. The prayers are not required for women during their periods, prepubescent children and those with intellectual and physical disabilities inhibiting prayer. Those who are sick and unable to assume the positions of prayer are still required to pray, although they may pray in bed and even lying down.<ref name=":1"/> When traveling, one may observe the afternoon prayers following one another: also the sunset and late evening prayers can be combined too.<ref name=":1"/>

=== Third Pillar: Zakat (Almsgiving) ===
{{main|Zakat}}

The Third Pillar of Islam is Zakāt, or alms giving or charity.<ref name=":1"/> Zakat means [[Ritual purification|purification]] which indicates that a payment makes the rest of one's wealth legally and religiously pure.<ref name=":1" /> By following this pillar, Muslims have to deduct certain amount of their wealth to support the Islamic community — usually about 2.5% of their wealth. This practice is not found in the Quran but rather in the hadith. The tax is used to take good care of the holy places and mosques in the individual's specific Muslim community or to give assistance to those in need or who are impoverished. The word zakāt can be defined as purification and growth because it allows an individual to achieve balance and encourages new growth. The principle of knowing that all things belong to God is essential to purification and growth. Zakāt is obligatory for all Muslims who are able to do so. It is the personal responsibility of each Muslim to ease the economic hardship of others and to strive towards eliminating inequality.<ref>Ridgeon (2003), p. 258</ref> Zakāt consists of spending a portion of one's wealth for the benefit of the poor or needy, such as debtors or travelers. A Muslim may also donate more as an act of voluntary charity (''[[sadaqah]]''), rather than to achieve additional divine reward.<ref>Zakat, ''Encyclopaedia of Islam Online''</ref> Also, Muslims are required to give back to the poor, specifically through financial support, on the streets in addition to the Zakāt. Zakāt shows how the Islam faith impacts the financial situation of a believer, drawing into all aspects of life.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/>

There are five principles that should be followed when giving the zakāt:

# The giver must declare to God his intention to give the zakāt.
# The zakāt must be paid on the day that it is due.
# After the offering, the payer must not exaggerate on spending his money more than usual means.
# Payment must be in kind. This means if one is wealthy then he or she needs to pay a portion of their income. If a person does not have much money, then they should compensate for it in different ways, such as good deeds and good behavior toward others.
# The zakāt must be distributed in the community from which it was taken.<ref>[http://public.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/ZAKAT.HTM Zakat Alms-giving]{{Dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref>

===Fourth Pillar: Sawm (Fasting)===
{{main|Fasting in Islam}}

The Fourth Pillar of Islam is [[Sawm]], or fasting. Fasting takes place during the daylight hours in Ramadan, which is the holy month in the [[Islamic calendar]]. Using a lunar calendar means the month of Ramadan shifts 11 days earlier each year. Sawm is directly mentioned in the Quran: "eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night…". The fast occurs from dawn to sunset each day, during which time believers are expected to prohibit themselves from any food, drink, sexual intercourse, or smoking. However, after sunset and before dawn, individuals can participate in any of the actions previously stated as they desire.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/> The reason for fasting during Ramadan is to remind Muslims that all individuals are similarly needy upon the assistance of God and that there are less lucky individuals who need their assistance. Ramadan is a period of reflection when Muslims are called upon to recharge their faith, increment their charity, and make apology. In the Quran, the month of Ramadan was first revealed to Muhammad.<ref name="Kamal-ud Din 2010"/> Ramadan fasting ends with the "[[Eid al-Fitr|Id-ul-Fitr]]" (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast), which lasts for three days; of the first day of this festival, there is a meeting at the mosque for prayer celebration and each family head gives money for alms.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/>[[File:Date-seller.jpg|thumb|[[Muslim]]s traditionally break their fasts in the [[Ramadan (calendar month)|month of Ramadan]] with [[Date palm#Fruit|dates]] (like those offered by this date seller in [[Kuwait City]]), as was the recorded practice ([[Sunnah]]) of [[Muhammad]].]] Three types of [[fasting]] (''[[Siyam]]'') are recognized by the Quran: ritual fasting,<ref>{{qref|2|183-187|b=yl}}</ref> fasting as compensation for repentance (both from [[Quran 2]]),<ref>{{qref|2|196|b=y}}</ref> and ascetic fasting (from {{qref|33|35|pl=y}})<ref>Fasting, ''Encyclopedia of the Qur'an'' (2005)</ref>

Ritual fasting is an obligatory act during the month of [[Ramadan]].<ref name="Caesar_1">Farah (1994), pp. 144-145</ref> Muslims must abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk during this month, and are to be especially mindful of other sins.<ref name="Caesar_1"/> Fasting is necessary for every Muslim that has reached puberty (unless they suffer from a medical condition which prevents them from doing so).<ref>talhaanjum_9</ref>

The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness and to look for forgiveness from God, to express their gratitude to and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and to remind them of the needy.<ref>Esposito (1998), p.90, 91</ref> During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, profane language, gossip and to try to get along with fellow Muslims better. In addition, all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided.<ref>Tabatabaei (2002), p. 211, 213</ref>

[[Fasting during Ramadan]] is obligatory, but exceptions are made for several groups for whom it would be very dangerous and excessively problematic. These include pre-pubescent children, those with a medical condition such as [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], [[Old age|elderly people]], and [[pregnancy|pregnant]] or [[breastfeeding]] women. Observing fasts is not permitted for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is considered acceptable not to fast are those who are ill or traveling. Missed fasts usually must be made up for soon afterward, although the exact requirements vary according to circumstance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_21.html#HEADING20 |title=For whom fasting is mandatory |publisher=USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts |access-date=2007-04-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308025221/http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_21.html |archive-date=8 March 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{qref|2|184|b=y}}</ref><ref>Khan (2006), p. 54</ref><ref>Islam, ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'' (2005)</ref>

=== Fifth Pillar: Hajj (Pilgrimage) ===
{{main|Hajj}}

The final Pillar of Islam is the Hajj, or pilgrimage. During one's life, a Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca during the 12th month of the [[lunar calendar]]. This ritual consists of making journey to Mecca wearing only 2 white sheets so all of the pilgrims are identical and there is no class distinction among them.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/> Amid the hajj, every single Muslim man dresses alike in a straightforward fabric, again to emphasize their uniformity. Ladies wear a less complex type of their ordinary dress.<ref name="Kamal-ud Din 2010"/> Pilgrims put the white sheets on when they enter the sanctuary area of Mecca and enter a state of "[[ihram]]" or purity. After a Muslim makes the trip to Mecca, they are known as a [[Hajji|hajj/hajja]] (one who made the pilgrimage to Mecca).<ref name="Britannica_India">Hoiberg (2000), p.237–238</ref> The main rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba termed ''[[Tawaf]]'', touching the [[Black Stone]] termed Istilam, traveling seven times between [[Al-Safa and Al-Marwah|Mount Safa and Mount Marwah]] termed ''[[Sa'yee]]'', and symbolically [[Stoning of the Devil|stoning the Devil]] in [[Mina, Saudi Arabia|Mina]] termed Ramee.<ref name="Britannica_India"/> When at Mecca, the pilgrims go to the Ka’aba in the mosque and walk around it in a circle. They then pray together in official ceremonies, and then they go out to perform the "standing ceremony" to remember the [[Farewell Sermon]] of Muhammad on the Arafat. On the return trip, pilgrims stop in Mina, where they throw 7 stones at stone pillars that represent Satan as to express their hatred for Shaitan (Satan). They then return to Mecca for final ceremonies by circumambulating the Ka’aba seven times and then leave Mecca to journey back home. Inability to make the Hajj, whether because of physical strength, economic conditions, or other reasons, excuses the duty of Hajj. The Quran specifically says that only those capable of making the pilgrimage are required to do so. The reason for this journey is to follow in the footsteps of Muhammad, hoping to gain enlightenment as Muhammad did when he was in the presence of God. The pilgrimage of the Hajj is in the Quran.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/>

The [[pilgrim]], or the ''haji'', is honoured in the Muslim community. Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be self-aware and examine their intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This should lead to constant striving for self-improvement.<ref>Goldschmidt (2005), p.48</ref> A pilgrimage made at any time other than the Hajj season is called an ''[[Umrah]]'', and while not mandatory is strongly recommended.