The Five Pillars Of Islam

Declaration of Faith

"There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His Messenger." This is the declaration of faith said when accepting Islam into one's life. It is called the Shahada. It is also repeated in all prayers. 

Prayers

The five daily prayers, or Salat, are obligatory, a direct link to God alone. There are set times for each prayer: Fajr is the dawn prayer; Zuhr is the midday or noon prayer; Asr is the late afternoon prayer; Maghrib is the sunset prayer; and Isha is the nighttime prayer. A muslim must perform ghusl or wudu before performing the prescribed prayer, or the prayer is invalid. These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic. Personal supplication can be offered in one's own language. It is preferrable to pray in a mosque, but this is often not possible. A Muslim can pray anywhere, such as at the office, at school, in a friend's home, in a field, etc. These prayers are a central part of a Muslim's daily life. 

Fasting

Fasting is not only a benefit to one's physical well-being, it is also a method of self-control, self-purification. Muslims are obligated to fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Fasting occurs between dawn and sundown, for a period of approximately 30 days. During these hours, one must abstain from food, drink and all sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, travelling, pregnant or nursing are exempt from fasting during this period. They can make up the number of days they missed later in the year. If a person is physically unable to make up the fast, they must feed a needy person for every day of fasting they missed. Children begin to fast (and observe daily prayers) from puberty, however many do start earlier than this. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in one's spiritual life.

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint" (Quran 2:182) 

Zakaat

Zakaat, the religious tax which is known as alms, or the poor-due tax. One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to Allah, therefore wealth is held by us in trust. The word "Zakat" means both purification and growth. Our possessions are purified for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of 2 1/2% of one's capital. A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases, and this is preferrably done in secret. 

Hajj

The Pilgrimage to Hajj, in the city of Mecca, is obligatory for all muslims who are physically and financially able to do so, at least once in their lifetime. Approximately 2 million people travel to Mekkah each year, from all over the world. They wear special clothing, simple white garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture. All stand equal before Allah. The rites of Hajj include circling the Ka'baa seven times, going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa, as did Hagar during her seach for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for Allah's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgement. The end of Hajj is marked by a festival, the "Eid al-Adha", which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the "Eid al-Fitr", a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.