Although there is nothing physically forcing a Muslim to pay the Zakah, it is a Muslim’s duty to pay it religiously. Which they will perform as they believe that all wealth is Allah’s and that it is their responsibility to share it between the world. The point of the zakah is to keep wealth free of greed and selfishness. So that all of Allah’s wealth is shared equally, which is Allah’s will. The word ‘zakah’ literally means to cleanse or purify, so from the zakah they believe that they are cleansing through giving.
The zakah money itself is can be given to any worthy cause anywhere around the world, their first priority is to give to those in need within their Muslim community. It is also used to free captives, and to help convert people to Islam and to. This shows how important Muslims feel it is to convert more people to Islam, so in a perfect world everyone would worship Allah, and be a Muslim. The Zakah is also important to Muslims because this will go towards their judgement, whether they go to heaven or not. This shows that Muslims believe in an afterlife, which is important to them.
Pillar 4 Saum
This is fasting during the daylight hours of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Islamic months are lunar months so they are 28 days long and therefore Ramadan can be at different times of the year. But in the Islamic calendar it is always the 9th month of the year. Ramadan is the chosen month because it is the month that Muhammad went up to Mt. Hira to fast, and he received his first revelation. Because of this it is a very holy month.
The fasting itself makes people realise how it is like to be poor, without regular meals throughout the day. This shows the importance of valuing the life that you have and that you are more fortunate than others are.
Although it is compulsory to do this with your community, you do not have to fast if: - you are under 12 years old, elderly, on medication or unwell, poor, insane, as it is important to understand why you are fasting, a traveller, because the Saum is a community thing, so if you are on a journey you will not feel your community around.
Therefore there is a great sense of brotherhood, and they can learn control of body and mind.
During Ramadan extra time is taken lean the Qur’an, their faith and to reflect and forgive other’s sins. They also learn about their character and learn to have a better attitude towards others, showing the value of brotherhood.
When it becomes dark a light meal (Iftar) is eaten, this will be followed by larger meals later on. Being able to fast for the whole day gives them a sense of achievement, that they have resisted temptation for the whole day.
Pillar 5 Hajj
The Hajj is a pilgrimage, to Mecca (Makkah) which it is your duty to go on, if physically able to, can financially afford to and of the age of responsibility. The only moth that this can be officially performed on is the 12th Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah.
The pilgrimage is to Mecca because: - Muhammad lived their and made the first mosque their, returning the worship of one god to the temple, and also because it is commanded to in the Qur'an.
After a man has completed the Hajj, he is allowed to put Hajji after his name. When a woman has completed it she is allowed to put Hajja after her name.
There are seven main parts to the hajj
Ihram- this is a mass ritual wash, by the men, men then must put on two pieces of white cloth, and women also wear white. This shows equality, purity and holiness.
Tawaf- this is the circling of the Ka’bah 7 times in an anticlockwise direction. The Ka’bah is a large black box in the middle of the First Mosque in Mecca. This is following Mohammed’s example. This values the worship of one god only (Allah), and the unity of believers, the world-wide Muslim community, the Ummah.
Sa’y- this is running between two mountains, Mt. Safa and Mt. Marwa even times. This is remembering Ibrahim’s wife Hajar, and her running between these 2 mountains in her search for water for her infant son. This shows perseverance, patience and faith. It is imporant for the soul’s search for truth.
Zam Zam Well- this is the spring of water found by Hajar, sent by Allah. People wash in it and sometimes bottle it to take home, as it is holy water. This reinforces the belief that Allah never forsakes the faithful.
The Stand at Arafat- this is the high point of the Hajj, it is a dress rehearsal for judgement day. It is about being accountable for things and forgiveness of sins.
Stoning at Mina- this is throwing seven stones at some pillars in a pit. This is the importance of withstanding temptation, which is sent by the devil. And submitting to Allah’s will.
Sacrifice at Mina- this is sacrificing a goat remembering how Ibrahim was prepared to sacrifice his son for Allah, but Allah let him kill a sheep instead. This values sacrificing things for your religion, and the reward for the faithful.
Section B
Pillar 1: Shahadah
This creed saying, “I believe there is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of god.” It is repeated first thing in the morning upon waking, last thing before going to sleep, the first words said to a new-born baby, the last words said to or by the dying and during their prayers.
Because it is said so much, it is constantly reminding them of Allah and what their devotion to Islam is all about. This means that Allah is always in their thoughts so they will think about what Allah wants them to do, so they will always follow Allah’s will.
Pillar 2: Salah
This is prayer 5 times a day. It is began by a ritual wash, which involves washing various parts of the body three times.
This affects them because they wash at least 5 times a day; it is so they can smell the sweet scent of heaven and forget about the world they are in at the moment.
Then when they are in a fit mental state to pray they enter the prayer hall and whip out their prayer mats. They face the Ka’bah in the First Mosque in Mecca, and put them down. They then, lead by the Imam (prayer leader), begin the rakkah. After they have done the rakkah once they have done this once, they do it again for a second time.
This affects a Muslim by taking a lot of their time, but this brings them closer to Allah because they must be thinking about why they are doing this five times a day. So they will understand the meaning of it all.
The 5 prayers are spread out throughout the day, between the first light of day and sunrise, after the sun has left the midst of the sky, between mid afternoon and sunset, between sunset and the last light of day and between darkness and dawn. This means that they are constantly thinking about Allah and will react to things as Allah would wish them to.
Pillar 3: Zakah
This is the giving of money to the poor. This affects them because they lose some of their money that they have earned. Also they must spend their money evenly throughout the year, otherwise it will look like they are trying to avoid paying as much zakah as they should.
It will also affect them by making them realise how lucky that they are, actually having money to give. Although they believe that all wealth is given to them by Allah, and must be distributed evenly.
They see the zakah as a test of honesty as it is a duty for all Muslims to give 2.5% of their savings to the Mosque once every year. This is unless you are one of the people receiving it.
This brings them closer to Allah because they feel that they are helping to spread his will, by spreading his money.
Pillar 4: Saum
This is the fasting during the daylight hours of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Islamic months are lunar months so they are 28 days long and therefore Ramadan can be at different times of the year. But in the Islamic calendar it is always the 9th month of the year. Ramadan is the chosen month because it is the month that Muhammad went up to Mt. Hira to fast, and he received his first revelation. Because of this it is a very holy month.
Although it is compulsory to do this with your community, you do not have to fast if: -
* You are under 12 years old
* You are elderly
* You are on medication or unwell
* You are poor
* You are insane, as it is important to
understand why you are fasting,
* You are a traveller, because the Saum is a
community thing, so if you are on a
journey you will not feel your community
around you.
This affects them by making them hungry and thirsty, and it also enables them to feel what is like to be poor, without regular meals.
During Ramadan extra time is taken to read the Qur’an and study their faith. They must also pray six times a day during Ramadan.
This affects them by taking lots of their time, even more than usual, and it brings them closer to Allah, by learning more about him and understanding him better.
When it becomes dark a light meal (Iftar) is eaten, this will be followed by larger meals later on. Being able to fast for the whole day gives them a sense of achievement, that they have resisted temptation for the whole day.
Pillar 5: Hajj
The Hajj is a pilgrimage, to Mecca (Makkah) which it is your duty to go on, if physically able to, can financially afford to and of the age of responsibility. The only moth that this can be officially performed on is the 12th Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah.
The pilgrimage is to Mecca because: - Muhammad lived their and made the first mosque their, returning the worship of one god to the temple, and also because it is commanded to in the Qur'an.
This affects them, because after they have been on the Hajj, men can put Hajji after their name, and women can put Hajja after their name.
There are seven main parts to the Hajj
Ihram- this is a mass ritual wash, by the men, men then must put on two pieces of white cloth, and women also wear white.
This affects them by making everyone equal, meaning that no on has control of anyone else. It gives them the feeling of total equality.
Tawaf- this is the circling of the Ka’bah 7 times in an anticlockwise direction. The Ka’bah is a large black box in the middle of the First Mosque in Mecca. This is following Mohammed’s example.
This has a totally awesome affect. Thousands of followers all together, all doing the same thing, at the same time in the First Mosque. Also this brings them closer to Allah as this is where Mohammed remade the original gateway to Allah, and that they are now there.
Sa’y- this is running between two mountains, Mt. Safa and Mt. Marwa even times. This is remembering Ibrahim’s wife Hajar, and her running between these 2 mountains in her search for water for her infant son.
This affects them by tiring them out.
Zam Zam Well- this is the spring of water found by Hajar, sent by Allah. People wash in it and sometimes bottle it to take home, as it is holy water.
This brings them closer to Allah as it is like touching the hand of Allah. As it is a direct thing sent by Allah to earth, which you can touch and drink.
The Stand at Arafat- this is the high point of the Hajj, it is a dress rehearsal for judgement day.
Stoning at Mina- this is throwing seven stones at some pillars in a pit.
Sacrifice at Mina- this is sacrificing a goat remembering how Ibrahim was prepared to sacrifice his son for Allah, but Allah let him kill a sheep instead.
The whole Hajj is a great experience, which some people may spend their whole lives saving for. By the end of it, it will have effected the way they think of others and of Allah, whom they will feel more at one with than before they left to go on the Hajj.
Section C
Introduction
In this section I will look at how the strict straightforward guidelines of the five pillars of Islam. I will look at the advantages and disadvantages of having a direct set of rules such as the 5 pillars.
Advantages
The pillars give a good foundation to the religion. They are said to be holding up the region, like pillars. It supports the religion. As it is a straightforward set structure this makes it easy to learn, follow and remember.
As it is so clear it provides a good checklist for following the religion. This helps people become a good, committed Muslim. For example the paying of the Zakah is very clearly illustrated, so it is obvious what to do.
It provides a set structure for Muslims’ lives, how to live their lives and spend their money.
Also, very importantly, it avoids any confusion over the right way to worship Allah, or how to be a committed Muslim. This is very important in Islam, because the Qur’an is not allowed to be officially translated into any other language (other than Arabic) to avoid any mistranslations and confusion.
Also essentially for Muslims if they know exactly what to do, then they wont’ give in to temptation, as this is one of the biggest sins in Islam.
Disadvantages
In non-Muslim countries it is very hard for Muslims. During Ramadan when shops don’t shut during daylight hours this can be very hard. And there may not be a Mosque anywhere near where they live. In Muslim countries there is practically a Mosque on every street corner.
It is a very strict structure, which doesn’t allow for modern life.
As Muslims must pray five times a day, it may become a habit and lose its meaning, which would defeat the whole object of praying in the first place.
If Muslims just follow the five pillars they may be lead to think that they have achieved more than they actually have. For example they may think that they have achieved eternal life when they haven’t. As there are other things in Islam to follow such as Mohammed’s hadiths.
Also it restricts their freedom to worship Allah in their own way and their general freedom of expression.
Conclusion
I think that a strict structure is a good idea in someways, as it does give some obvious guidelines. But for me it is very important to be able to express yourself in any way that you wish. So in my opinion, that is too restrictive, and a bad idea. Also it is just not practical for some people in non-Muslim countries to do some of the things involved, so the rules need to be more flexible to allow for modern life.