Post by Woodrow LI on Aug 27, 2013 9:57:18 GMT -6
While all Muslims are individualistic and each alone is responsible for his choices there are 5 things all Muslims are obligated to do. If a person deliberately refuses to do any one of these things they are no longer Muslim even though the people closest to them may never know they are not Muslim. It is only the person and Allaah(swt) who know if a person deliberately refuses to do any. We may know a person has not done something, but there may be circumstances we are unaware of that prevents a person from doing them.
These 5 things are the "Pillars of Faith" which are.
Shahadah, profession of faith, is the first pillar of Islam. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam.
Salah, prayer, is the second pillar. The Islamic faith is based on the belief that individuals have a direct relationship with God. The world's Muslims turn individually and collectively to Makkah, Islam's holiest city, to offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. In addition, Friday congregational service is also required. Although salah can he performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque.
Zakat, almsgiving, is the third pillar. Social responsibility is considered part of one's service to God; the obligatory act of zakat enshrines this duty. Zakat prescribes payment of fixed proportions of a Muslim's possessions for the welfare of the entire community and in particular for its neediest members. It is equal to 2.5 percent of an individual's total net worth, excluding obligations and family expenses.
Sawm, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, is the fourth pillar of Islam. Ordained in the Holy Qur'an, the fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God. Fasting is also an exercise in self-control whereby one's sensitivity is heightened to the sufferings of the poor. Ramadan, the month during which the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad,
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. For those Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah, the Hajj is a once in a lifetime duty that is the peak of their religious life. The Hajj is a remarkable spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world to the holy city. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage.
A person who does their best to follow the 5 pillars of their own free will is a Muslim. Even if that is all they ever do. Even if they never complete any but have the sincere intent and desire to do so. There are many who probably never complete any pillar except the first one and unavoidable circumstances beyond their control prevent them from doing any more, but they are still as much of a Muslim as one who complete all 5 many times over.
All Muslims do share 6 common beliefs. However failure to believe them does not mean they are not Muslim. If they have sincerely investigated and can not find reason to believe that does not mean they are not Muslim. Although I can not envision any person sincerely doing the 5 Pillars of Faith if they do not believe the 6 Fundamental beliefs.
The 6 Fundamental beliefs shared by all Muslims are:
1. Belief in God (Allah), the one and only one worthy of all worship (tawhid).
2. Belief in the Angels (mala'ika).
3. Belief in the Books (kutub) sent by Allah (including the Qurʾān).
4. Belief in all the Messengers (rusul) sent by Allah
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (qiyama)
6. Belief in the Resurrection (life after death).
There is also a 7th not exactly interpreted the same by all Muslims
The seventh is:
7. Belief in Destiny (Fate) (qadar).
Many of us myself included interpret Qadar as meaning Allaah(swt) knows all things past, present and future. It is through his will all things are and can happen. But that is not to be interpreted as meaning we do not have free will.
These 5 things are the "Pillars of Faith" which are.
Shahadah, profession of faith, is the first pillar of Islam. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam.
Salah, prayer, is the second pillar. The Islamic faith is based on the belief that individuals have a direct relationship with God. The world's Muslims turn individually and collectively to Makkah, Islam's holiest city, to offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. In addition, Friday congregational service is also required. Although salah can he performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque.
Zakat, almsgiving, is the third pillar. Social responsibility is considered part of one's service to God; the obligatory act of zakat enshrines this duty. Zakat prescribes payment of fixed proportions of a Muslim's possessions for the welfare of the entire community and in particular for its neediest members. It is equal to 2.5 percent of an individual's total net worth, excluding obligations and family expenses.
Sawm, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, is the fourth pillar of Islam. Ordained in the Holy Qur'an, the fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God. Fasting is also an exercise in self-control whereby one's sensitivity is heightened to the sufferings of the poor. Ramadan, the month during which the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad,
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. For those Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah, the Hajj is a once in a lifetime duty that is the peak of their religious life. The Hajj is a remarkable spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world to the holy city. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage.
A person who does their best to follow the 5 pillars of their own free will is a Muslim. Even if that is all they ever do. Even if they never complete any but have the sincere intent and desire to do so. There are many who probably never complete any pillar except the first one and unavoidable circumstances beyond their control prevent them from doing any more, but they are still as much of a Muslim as one who complete all 5 many times over.
All Muslims do share 6 common beliefs. However failure to believe them does not mean they are not Muslim. If they have sincerely investigated and can not find reason to believe that does not mean they are not Muslim. Although I can not envision any person sincerely doing the 5 Pillars of Faith if they do not believe the 6 Fundamental beliefs.
The 6 Fundamental beliefs shared by all Muslims are:
1. Belief in God (Allah), the one and only one worthy of all worship (tawhid).
2. Belief in the Angels (mala'ika).
3. Belief in the Books (kutub) sent by Allah (including the Qurʾān).
4. Belief in all the Messengers (rusul) sent by Allah
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (qiyama)
6. Belief in the Resurrection (life after death).
There is also a 7th not exactly interpreted the same by all Muslims
The seventh is:
7. Belief in Destiny (Fate) (qadar).
Many of us myself included interpret Qadar as meaning Allaah(swt) knows all things past, present and future. It is through his will all things are and can happen. But that is not to be interpreted as meaning we do not have free will.
