Introduction to ISLAM

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 Prophet Muhammad (peace and the blessings of God be upon him) said, "Every child is born according to the fitra then its parents make it a Jew, a Christian, or a Zoroastrian". Today we could add "or a Hindu, a Buddhist, an atheist, etc".

FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

Belief in Oneness Of Allaah Suhanaho Wa Taala!

-To do this one, he/she must simply state with all his/her heart publicly "Ashadu Allaah ilaha illallah wa Ashadu anna Muhammad Rasullullaah"

Performing Salah/Salat!

PROCEDURE
 -In performing Salah/Salat you have to wash your body to purify yourselves.

wudhu - ritually cleaning the body clothes and ground used for prayer.

Clothing - one must be covered in the manner according to his gender.

Facing the Ka'aba - (refered to as the Qibla).

Intention- merely saying in your mind that you are attempting to pray and gain the benefits from it.

List of 5-obligatory prayer

   1.Fajr-Before sunrise.
   2.Zuhr-After the sun begins to decline from its zenith.
   3.Asr-Mid-afternoon.
   4.Magrib-Just after sunset.
   5.Isha-night.

In addition to this, everyone must also perform 12 Sunnah everyday. 

 This Sunnah Also Known as " Sunnah Ar-Rawatib."

• 4 rak'ats before Dhuh'r
• 2 rak'ats after Dhuh'r
• 2 rak'ats after Maghrib
• 2 rak'ats before Aisha
• 2 rak'ats before  

Giving Zakah/ Zakat

-It is an obligatory charity to every Muslim to give charity as an "Act of Worship and Spiritual investment".  Zakat does not only purifies the property of the contributor, but also the "heart and mind" purifies from selfishness.  The Contributor should not seek pride or fame but if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage others, it is acceptable to do so.

The recipients of Zakah are:
 
- the poor, the needy,
- the new Muslim converts,
- the Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them),
- Muslims in debt,
- employees appointed to collect Zakah,
- Muslims in service of research or study or propagation of Islam,
- wayfarers who are foreigners in need of help.

Fasting-Sawm

-Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking, and intimate sexual contacts from the break of dawn till sunset. It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches man the principle of sincere love to God, creative sense of hope, devotion,patience, unselfishness, discipline, etc. Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month of Ramadan. Fasting during this time is obligatory on every Muslim adult if he is mentally and physically fit and not on a journey. Women are allowed to skip a fasting day due to menstruation, and while nursing a baby.

Pilgrimage-Hajj

-It is obligatory to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime. Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of Allah on earth: the Ka'bah. It is also to remember the great assembly of the Day of Judgement when people will stand equal before Allah. Muslims go to Mecca to glorify Allah, not to worship a man. The visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad at Madena is highly recommended but not essential in making the Hajj valid and complete.

 

Courtesy of Muslimah's Homepage on Islam