Five Pillars of Islam: Difference between revisions

The '''Five Pillars of Islam''' (أركان الإسلام) is the term given to the five duties which are compulsory ([[Fard]]) for every Muslim. This concept is not found in the [[Qur'an]], but within the [[Sirat Rasul Allah|sira]] and [[hadith]], without which four out of five of these [[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible#Five Pillars of Islam|pillars would not exist]].  

The [[Shahadah]], which means "testimony", is the name of the Islamic profession of faith. It is the most important of all Five Pillars, and its recitation in Arabic is required for a person to become a Muslim.<ref>[http://www.themodernreligion.com/convert/islam_conversion_main.htm Embracing Islam] - The Modern Religion</ref> It reads, "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Shi'ite Muslims may add "and Ali is the friend of Allah," but this is not obligatory.<ref>[http://www.mideastweb.org/Middle-East-Encyclopedia/shahada.htm Shahada] - Encyclopedia of the Middle East</ref>

The [[Hajj]] is a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca which every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make at least once in their life.<ref name="Farah">Farah (1994), p.145-147</ref> The pilgrimage takes place on the 12^th month of the Islamic calendar (Dhu al-Hijjah). The main rituals include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina.<ref>Hoiberg (2000), p.237–238</ref>

[[Jihad]] is sometimes referred to as the ''sixth pillar of Islam'', as it is also a [[Jihad is Compulsory (Fard)|compulsory duty]], and Prophet [[Muhammad]] referred to it as "better than standing in prayer for sixty years"<ref>''"Standing for an hour in the ranks of battle is better than standing in prayer for sixty years."'' - Saheeh related by Ibn Ade and Ibn Asakir from Abu Hurayrah 4/6165. Sahih al Jaami as Sagheer no. 4305</ref> and second in importance only to the belief in Allah and himself.<ref>''"Allah's Apostle was asked, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, "What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, "To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's Cause.""'' - {{Bukhari|1|2|26}}</ref> According to some [[Shi'ite]] sects it is the seventh not sixth pillar.<ref>[http://www.fact-index.com/s/si/sixth_pillar_of_islam.html Sixth pillar of Islam] - The Fact-Index, accessed October 2, 2010</ref>