The Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of the Muslim life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able (Horn, 2001).
The central beliefs of Islam is Muhammad, the founder of Islam, is revered as "the Seal of the Prophets" the last and greatest of the messengers of God. He is not divine in any way, for the strict monotheism that characterizes Islam does not allow for such an interpretation. Other prophets (nabi in Arabic) are important in Islam as well, all of which are shared with the Jews or the Christians (Armstrong, 1993).
The basic doctrines of Islam are collectively known as the Five Doctrines of Islamic Faith. They include a belief in the absolute unity of God, belief in angels, belief in prophets, belief in scriptures, and belief in the Final Judgment.
The pillars, better known in Islam as "acts of worship," are the message of God. They cannot be confused with the religion as a whole; rather they outline the minimal obligations required of a Muslim. "They are the framework for a Muslim life: faith, prayer, concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able" (Badawi, 2001).
The Shahada is the Islamic proclamation that there is no true God except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. This is the confession that Allah is the one and only true God, that Allah alone is worthy of worship, that Allah alone is the Sovereign Lord who does what he wills with whoever he wills. It means that all his rules and laws found in the Qur'an are to be followed. It means ...