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- Overview
- 1. The profession of faith (the shahada)
- 2. Daily prayers (salat)
- 3. Alms-giving (zakat)
- 4. Fasting during Ramadan (saum)
- 5. Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca
By Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay
Almost as soon as the Arab armies of Islam conquered new lands, they began erecting mosques and palaces and commissioning other works of art as expressions of their faith and culture. Many aspects of religious practice in Islam also emerged and were codified. The religious practice of Islam, which literally means "to submit to God", is based on tenets that are known as the Five Pillars (arkan), to which all members of the Islamic community (umma) should adhere.
The profession of faith (the shahada) is the most fundamental expression of Islamic beliefs. It simply states that “There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet.” It underscores the monotheistic nature of Islam. It is an extremely popular phrase in Arabic calligraphy and appears in numerous manuscripts and religious buildings.
Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. This does not mean that they need to attend a mosque to pray; rather, the salat, or the daily prayer, should be recited five times a day. Muslims can pray anywhere; however, they are meant to pray towards
. The faithful pray by bowing several times while standing and then kneeling and touching the ground or prayer mat with their foreheads, as a symbol of their reverence and submission to Allah. On Friday, many Muslims attend a mosque near midday to pray and to listen to a sermon (khutba).
The giving of alms is the third pillar. Although not defined in the Qu’ran, Muslims believe that they are meant to share their wealth with those less fortunate in their community of believers.
During the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk. While there are exceptions made for the sick, elderly, and pregnant, all are expected to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
All Muslims who are able are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites at least once in their lives. Pilgrimage focuses on visiting the Kaaba and walking around it seven times. Pilgrimage occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar.
Additional resources
More from Smarthistory on Hajj.
More Hajj stories from the Asian Art Museum.
More stories of the modern pilgrimage from the British Museum.
Essay by Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay
Dec 6, 2023 · 5. Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims, who are able, are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites at least once in their lives. Pilgrimage focuses on visiting the Kaaba and walking around it seven times. Pilgrimage occurs in the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar.
Oct 4, 2014 · Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform the pilgrimage. Muslims believe that if their pilgrimage is accepted, their sins...
Aug 10, 2019 · Saudi officials estimate that 1.86m pilgrims have made the pilgrimage this year (AFP) Pilgrims come from all over the world, including Indonesia and Pakistan, to partake in the Hajj (AFP)
Dec 6, 2023 · Islamic pilgrimages and sacred spaces. Hajj is the most well-known pilgrimage in Islam. Here Dr. Sophia Arjana discusses its role in the religion, whilst also looking at Shi‘a and regional pilgrimages, sainthood and sacred space in Islam. Pilgrimage is a fundamental part of human experience. Like other religious traditions, these journeys ...
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