The Five Pillars of Islam

Study Notes

Shahada (Declaration of Faith): Believing and declaring that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Salat (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers, facing towards the holy city of Mecca.
Zakat (Charity): Giving a portion of one's wealth to the poor and needy, usually 2.5% of excess wealth.
Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset.
Hajj (Pilgrimage): Making a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able.

Birth and Early Life: Born in Mecca in 570 CE, orphaned at a young age, and raised by his uncle Abu Talib.
Revelations: Received revelations from Allah through the angel Gabriel, starting at the age of 40, which became the Quran.
Migration to Medina: Fled to Medina in 622 CE, where he established the first Islamic community.
Conquests and Expansion: Led the Islamic community to conquer Mecca and expand Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Quran: The holy book of Islam, considered the word of Allah as revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
Hadith: The sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, used to guide Islamic law and practice.
Mosque: A place of worship, where Muslims gather for daily prayers and Friday congregational prayers.
Dietary Laws: Prohibitions on consuming pork, alcohol, and other impurities, with emphasis on halal (permissible) food.
Ablution: Ritual washing before prayer, including washing of hands, face, and feet.
Islamic Calendar: A lunar calendar, with 12 months, used to determine the dates of Islamic holidays and festivals.

Shahada: The declaration of faith, affirming that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Salat: Performing five daily prayers, facing towards the holy city of Mecca, to maintain a strong connection with Allah.
Zakat: Giving 2.5% of excess wealth to the poor and needy, promoting social welfare and economic justice.
Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset, to develop self-control and empathy for the poor.
Hajj: Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able, to promote unity and solidarity among Muslims.

Birth and Early Life: Born in Mecca in 570 CE, orphaned at a young age, and raised by his uncle Abu Talib, shaping his early life experiences.
Revelations: Received divine revelations from Allah through the angel Gabriel, starting at the age of 40, which became the foundation of the Quran.
Migration to Medina: Fled to Medina in 622 CE, establishing the first Islamic community, and marking a significant turning point in Islamic history.
Conquests and Expansion: Led the Islamic community to conquer Mecca and expand Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula, spreading Islamic teachings and values.

Quran: The holy book of Islam, considered the word of Allah as revealed to Prophet Muhammad, guiding Muslims in their daily lives.
Hadith: The sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, serving as a source of guidance for Islamic law and practice.
Mosque: A sacred place of worship, where Muslims gather for daily prayers, Friday congregational prayers, and other religious activities.
Dietary Laws: Prohibitions on consuming pork, alcohol, and other impurities, emphasizing the importance of halal (permissible) food for Muslims.
Ablution: Ritual washing before prayer, including washing of hands, face, and feet, to maintain spiritual purity.
Islamic Calendar: A lunar calendar, with 12 months, used to determine the dates of Islamic holidays and festivals, such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.