Five Pillars of Islam

1. The shahadah is central to the Muslim faith because it affirms the Muslim belief that there is only one God.

2. Salat mentally helps Muslims to live in obedience to the will of Allah because it gives them time to focus on their beliefs and how they will live them out. Physically, salat requires a person to bow down into a vulnerable position, signifying that Allah is mightier than humans.

3. Zakat shows that Allah’s will is for all people to be taken care of and treated equally. Through their almsgiving, Muslims are committed to helping the less fortunate in their communities.

4. Sawm mentally allows a person to live in obedience to the will of Allah because it requires a person to fast all day; something that is hard for many to do without faith or a reason. It physically  allows a person to live in obedience to the will of Allah because it reinforces that suffering that the marginalized go through on a daily basis, thus reiterating the message of zakat.

5. I think that the hajj is a pillar of Islamic faith because it allows believers from all over the world to come together to practice their faith as a global community. I think that this is similar to the Catholic practice of going to Rome and Vatican City because of their religious significance; however, it differs because Muslims go to Mecca all at once while Catholics go to the Vatican as they please. Additionally, the hajj is required for Muslims; a pilgrimage is not required for Catholics.

6. Many of the possible challenges of living the Five Pillars stem from living in a non-Muslim country. When everyone has the same goal in mind, it is easier for a person to focus on what they need to do. However, when those practicing the Five Pillars, especially salat and sawm, are the minority, it may be difficult for one to focus on their faith.