5 Pillars of Islam & the Writing of the Qu'ran
By: Elin Forsgren
Published 27-2-2015
Five Pillars of Islam
Faith (Shahadah)
The first pillar, Shahadah, insists that once a follower submits completely to the belief that Allah Almighty is the one and only creator of the universe and Lord, then every problem weighing down on them will seem as light as a feather because they will be aware that Allah is on his side and Allah never lets those who believe in him down. This unites the people through similarities in belief and way of thinking. The following of the same religion unites people through the same traditions and prayers and under the same God.
Prayer (Salat)
The second pillar, Salat, is a religious obligation performed five times a day. Muslims can pray anywhere but is best performed at a mosque, for there they are reminded that all humanity is one and everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. This routine helps lift spiritual belief and increases physical health. Every recitation is performed with specific body movements, which helps them get active. Before prayer each Muslim must perform ablution which is washing the face and ears with water. This brings people together in Mosques and prayer. It unites the people spiritually and physically.
Fasting (Sawm)
The third pillar, Sawm, is performed during Ramadan which comes one month every year and May last from 29-30 days. During Sawm Muslims must give up foods, drinks, smoking, and all sexual activity during hours of daylight. They are allowed to eat and drink before the sun goes up and after the sun goes down. The benefits of Sawm including, obeying God, learning self-discipline, becoming spiritually stronger, learning the suffering of the poor, recognising value of charity and generosity, sharing fellowship with other Muslims and giving thanks to holy Qu'ran. This helps unite the people as they all go through the same process of learning the suffering of the poor as well as cleansing their souls. At the end of the day, after sunset, the will usually join for a feast and enjoy food together.
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The fourth pillar, Hajj, takes place once every year. This is when every Muslim gathers together in the Mecca and stands before Kaaba to praise Allah. This event reminds everyone that they are all equal before Allah, by stripping away markers of social status, wealth and pride. This celebration takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month of Islamic Lunar calendar. This brings people together and creates closer unity amongst the people as they gather together in the Mecca where they are all seen as equals.
Charity (Zakat)
The fifth and last pillar, Zakat, is the act of giving 2.5% of one's wealth to the poor. This helps cleanse a person of the desires for worldly wealth and money. It's an act regarded as self-purification and worship. It is beneficial to the people as it helps the poor, act of obeying God, learning self-discipline, freeing oneself from greed and learning to behave more honestly. It also brings the people closer as they help aid each other and support each other. It causes a closer bond and unity amongst the people as it closes the gap of economical social status.
How did the 5 Pillars bring Unity as Islam Spread?
The 5 Pillars joined people of Islam in similar rituals and beliefs. It also showed people that no matter what race, social status, wealth etc. they were all equal in the eyes of Allah. This would show those coming from conquered lands that they had a place there in Islam and were equal. Celebrating things like Hajj and Sawm and joining together at Mosques would bring together everyone through routine and communal activities. Hajj was especially a special event that stripped everyone of the markers of their social status, wealth and pride to assure everyone of their equality in front of Allah. Zakat would aid those struggling and bring everyone closer together, the weak and the wealthy. Shahadah unites everyone under the same belief and faith in Allah. It keeps everyone together in similar ideas, routines, beliefs and rituals.
The first pillar, Shahadah, insists that once a follower submits completely to the belief that Allah Almighty is the one and only creator of the universe and Lord, then every problem weighing down on them will seem as light as a feather because they will be aware that Allah is on his side and Allah never lets those who believe in him down. This unites the people through similarities in belief and way of thinking. The following of the same religion unites people through the same traditions and prayers and under the same God.
Prayer (Salat)
The second pillar, Salat, is a religious obligation performed five times a day. Muslims can pray anywhere but is best performed at a mosque, for there they are reminded that all humanity is one and everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. This routine helps lift spiritual belief and increases physical health. Every recitation is performed with specific body movements, which helps them get active. Before prayer each Muslim must perform ablution which is washing the face and ears with water. This brings people together in Mosques and prayer. It unites the people spiritually and physically.
Fasting (Sawm)
The third pillar, Sawm, is performed during Ramadan which comes one month every year and May last from 29-30 days. During Sawm Muslims must give up foods, drinks, smoking, and all sexual activity during hours of daylight. They are allowed to eat and drink before the sun goes up and after the sun goes down. The benefits of Sawm including, obeying God, learning self-discipline, becoming spiritually stronger, learning the suffering of the poor, recognising value of charity and generosity, sharing fellowship with other Muslims and giving thanks to holy Qu'ran. This helps unite the people as they all go through the same process of learning the suffering of the poor as well as cleansing their souls. At the end of the day, after sunset, the will usually join for a feast and enjoy food together.
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The fourth pillar, Hajj, takes place once every year. This is when every Muslim gathers together in the Mecca and stands before Kaaba to praise Allah. This event reminds everyone that they are all equal before Allah, by stripping away markers of social status, wealth and pride. This celebration takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month of Islamic Lunar calendar. This brings people together and creates closer unity amongst the people as they gather together in the Mecca where they are all seen as equals.
Charity (Zakat)
The fifth and last pillar, Zakat, is the act of giving 2.5% of one's wealth to the poor. This helps cleanse a person of the desires for worldly wealth and money. It's an act regarded as self-purification and worship. It is beneficial to the people as it helps the poor, act of obeying God, learning self-discipline, freeing oneself from greed and learning to behave more honestly. It also brings the people closer as they help aid each other and support each other. It causes a closer bond and unity amongst the people as it closes the gap of economical social status.
How did the 5 Pillars bring Unity as Islam Spread?
The 5 Pillars joined people of Islam in similar rituals and beliefs. It also showed people that no matter what race, social status, wealth etc. they were all equal in the eyes of Allah. This would show those coming from conquered lands that they had a place there in Islam and were equal. Celebrating things like Hajj and Sawm and joining together at Mosques would bring together everyone through routine and communal activities. Hajj was especially a special event that stripped everyone of the markers of their social status, wealth and pride to assure everyone of their equality in front of Allah. Zakat would aid those struggling and bring everyone closer together, the weak and the wealthy. Shahadah unites everyone under the same belief and faith in Allah. It keeps everyone together in similar ideas, routines, beliefs and rituals.
The Qu'ran
The Qu'ran were sections communicated through angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad, who lived 570-632 AD, from Allah over 23 years. The sections were written onto different materials over a period of time. During the reign of Abu Bakr, the first caliph after the prophet, the Qu'ran was first compiled into a book from around 633 AD. Muslims regard this book as a sacred speech spoken by God himself, in order to correct old errors from previous holy books. There are over 114 chapters and was spoken by God to Muhammad in Arabic. It is a sacred and well-respected book by Muslims. While reciting from the Qu'ran Muslims are not allowed to speak, eat or drink, or making any sort of unnecessary sound. Followers seeks the Qu'ran for guidance throughout life
How did the Qu'ran unite people as Islam Spread?
The writing of the Qu'ran brings Muslims together and unites them through its sacred words. Muslims believe that the Qu'ran is absolute and should be followed through and believed in thoroughly. In the Qu'ran Allah said, "The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." This passage shows that Allah meant for everyone to be equal and united together. The words of Allah seek for equality and unity amongst his believers, that everyone should regard each other as family. As followers of Allah these words are absolute and therefore believe in this idea as well. As the Qu'ran was written in Arabic people had to learn the same language in order to be able to read their sacred book.
How did the Qu'ran unite people as Islam Spread?
The writing of the Qu'ran brings Muslims together and unites them through its sacred words. Muslims believe that the Qu'ran is absolute and should be followed through and believed in thoroughly. In the Qu'ran Allah said, "The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." This passage shows that Allah meant for everyone to be equal and united together. The words of Allah seek for equality and unity amongst his believers, that everyone should regard each other as family. As followers of Allah these words are absolute and therefore believe in this idea as well. As the Qu'ran was written in Arabic people had to learn the same language in order to be able to read their sacred book.
Works Cited
"Five Pillars of Islam | Quran Academy." EwaytoQuran. N.p., 01 July 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
"The Five Pillars of Islam." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
"The Holy Qur'an / Www.convertingtoislam.com." The Holy Qur'an / Www.convertingtoislam.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
"Quran, a Brief Overview." Why Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
"Surat Al-Ĥujurāt (The Rooms) - سورة الحجرات." Surat Al-Hujurat [49:7-13]. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
BBC News. BBC. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.
"According to the Qu'ran, It Is a Religious Obligation to Be United." Harun Yahya. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.
"Five Pillars of Islam | Quran Academy." EwaytoQuran. N.p., 01 July 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
"The Five Pillars of Islam." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
"The Holy Qur'an / Www.convertingtoislam.com." The Holy Qur'an / Www.convertingtoislam.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
"Quran, a Brief Overview." Why Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
"Surat Al-Ĥujurāt (The Rooms) - سورة الحجرات." Surat Al-Hujurat [49:7-13]. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
BBC News. BBC. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.
"According to the Qu'ran, It Is a Religious Obligation to Be United." Harun Yahya. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.