FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM CRITIQUED
1) Iman or Faith: Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad.
"There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the
messenger of God." This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a
simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of
this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to
serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and
practices of the Last Prophet, Muhammad.
Note: Heaven bound persons worship the Father and the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.
And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the
earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard
saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on
the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13.
Note: God the Father did not use prophets after the revelation of Jesus Christ.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the
fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His
Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He
made the worlds. Hebrews 1:1-2.
2) Salah or Prayer: Establishment of the daily prayers;
Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five
times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God.
There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests.
Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur'an and is
generally chosen by the congregation.
Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and
nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. These five
prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in
Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications,
however, can be offered in one's own language and at any time.
Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may
pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and
universities. Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the
centrality of prayers in daily life.
A translation of the Adan or Call to Prayer is:
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer!
Come to prayer!
Come to success!
Come to success!
God is Great!
God is Great!
There is none worthy of worship except God.
Note: Christians pray with understanding in contrast to heathen Muslims.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For
they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do
not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of
before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
Matthew 6:7-13.
3) Zakah-The financial obligation upon Muslims: Concern for and almsgiving to the needy
An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and
that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakah
means both "purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by
setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in
general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and
encourages new growth.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves
the annual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding such items
as primary residence, car and professional tools.
An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h,
and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated
as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning.
The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an
act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for
every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The
Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and
then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of
the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said:
"He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked:
"What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge
others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?"
The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is
also an act of charity."
Note: Christians will give according to need versus a low prescribed percentage.
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on
the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the
abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of
their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability,
yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us
with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of
the ministering to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4.
4) Sawm or Fasting: Self-purification through fasting
Every year in the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn until
sundown - abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their
spouses.
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are
menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast
and make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are
healthy and able. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from
puberty, although many start earlier.
Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of
self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly
comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her
purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God.
God states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is
prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you
may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183)
Note: Christians have been purified through faith in Jesus Christ.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were
sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by
the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6:11.
Note: Christian fasting is not regulated by times and seasons.
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad
countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men
to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But
you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do
not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the
secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you
openly. Matt. 6:16-18.
5) Hajj or Pilgrimage: The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able
The pilgrimage to Makkah (the hajj) is an obligation only for those who
are physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless, over two
million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe
providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet
one another.
The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which
is lunar, not solar, so that hajj and Ramada-n fall sometimes in
summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple
garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all
stand equal before God.
The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going
around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills
of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajir, Abraham's wife) during her
search for water. The pilgrims later stand together on the wide plains
of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) and join in
prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought as a
preview of the Day of Judgment.
The close of the hajj is marked by a festival, the 'Id al Adha, which
is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim
communities everywhere. This and the 'Id al Fitr, a festive day
celebrating the end of Ramada-n, are the two holidays of the Islamic
calendar.
Note: Abraham never dwelt, visited, or performed pagan rituals in Mecca.
So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together
to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. Genesis 22:19.
Note: Hagar never dwelt, visited, or performed pagan rituals in Mecca.
So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and
became an archer. He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother
took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Genesis 21:20-21.
Note: God does not require anyone to travel and perform pagan rituals in Mecca.
Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in
Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her,
“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this
mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do
not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But
the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to
worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth.” John 4:20-24.