About 2 million people from across the globe, the largest conglomeration of people, a have converged at the holy city of Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage. Haj which begins this Wednesday is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. Haj, attended by millions of pilgrims each year takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is said that every able bodied Muslim is required to complete it atleast once in a lifetime if he or she has the means to do so.
Let us have look at the “Five Pllars of Islam” that every single Muslim from a very early age, learns. Through the “five pillars of Islam,” Muslims explore, accept, and commit themselves to their religion.
Each practice that the pillars represent is very different, some are a part of daily life, while others appear less frequently, but all are equally essential to the Muslim experience.
Faith
More specifically known as the “testimony of faith,” this pillar is a call to Muslims to commit themselves to a core belief in God, and state openly that “there is no God except God alone and Muhammad is his final messenger,”
Prayer
This pillar has the most impact on the Muslim lifestyle, as it requires Muslims to pray five times a day: in the morning, at midday, in the afternoon, at sunset, and at night. It may sound like a lot of additional work, but the regularity of this practice makes worshipping and communing with God simply a fixture of everyday life.
Charity
Also known as almsgiving, this pillar can take many different forms in Muslims’ lives. On one hand, wealthier Muslims are expected to give a certain percentage of their means to those in need. This donation, known as zakat, is calculated on an individual level and is normally given during Ramadan.
Fasting
The holy month of Ramadan calls on practicing Muslims to attend nightly readings of the Quran, engage in community-wide celebrations, and, of course, fast. Not only are they expected to avoid eating and drinking from sunrise to sundown, but people must abstain from sex, gossip, swearing, and other habits deemed immoral. The foods eaten to break the daily fast may vary b
but the intent behind the fasting remains the same: to dedicate the days of Ramadan to worship without any earthly distractions.
Hajj
Unlike the other pillars, this annual pilgrimage to Mecca is only required of each Muslim once. The Hajj, which this year begins next Wednesday, August 30, lasts nearly a week and sees pilgrims visiting several religious sites around the city. For many, it’s a one-time visit, but performing the Hajj is a lifelong reminder of the larger community each Muslim is a part of through their faith.
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