بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Shahādah, the Muslim profession of faith: “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Prophet of God.” The shahādah is the first of the five Pillars of Islam (arkān al-Islām). It must be recited by every Muslim at least once in a lifetime, aloud, correctly, and purposively, with a full understanding of its meaning and with an assent of the heart.
Salat, the daily ritual prayer enjoined upon all Muslims as one of the five Pillars of Islam (arkān al-Islām). Within Muhammad’s lifetime, five obligatory prayers, each preceded by ablution, were observed: ṣalāt al-fajr (dawn), al-ẓuhr (midday), al-ʿaṣr (afternoon), al-maghrib (sunset), and al-ʿishāʾ (evening). Under such special circumstances as illness, a journey, or war, a modification or limited postponement of these salats is allowed. Though individual performance of salat is permissible and can be offered in any clean space at home or at work, collective worship in the mosque has special merit. With their faces turned in the direction of the shrine of the Kaaba in Mecca, the worshippers align themselves in parallel rows behind the imam, or prayer leader, who directs them as they execute the rakʿahs (physical postures coupled with Qurʾānic recitations).
Zakat is an Islamic Finance term referring to the obligation that an individual donate a certain proportion of their wealth each year to charitable causes. Zakat is mandatory for all Muslims in most countries and is considered to be a form of worship. Giving away money to the poor is said to purify yearly earnings that are over and above what is required to provide a person and their family with their essential needs.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times for Muslims. It is the month in which it is believed that the Holy Qur'an was sent down from heaven "as a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation."
During this month, Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. They are not allowed to eat or drink (even water) during daylight hours. Fasting is a private act of worship bringing about nearness to God, as well as a form of spiritual discipline and a means to empathize with those less fortunate. The fast is broken at the end of the day with prayer and a festive meal called an iftar. It is customary to visit family and friends following the iftar.
During Ramadan, many Muslims go to the mosque and spend several hours praying. In addition to the five daily prayers that are part of the core of Islam, Muslims recite a special prayer called the Tarawih prayer (night prayer).
On the evening of the 27th day of Ramadan, Muslims observe a special night called Layat al-Qadr, sometimes referred to as the Night of Power. It is believed that Muhammad first received the Holy Qur'an on this night.
At the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr celebrates the breaking of the fast. Friends and families gather for festive meals and exchange gifts. Special gifts are also given to the poor.
Hajj, in Islam, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime. The hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage rite begins on the 7th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah (the last month of the Islamic year) and ends on the 12th day.
The hajj is incumbent on all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage, but only if their absence will not place hardships on their family. A person may perform the hajj by proxy, appointing a relative or friend going on the
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