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What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The essential articles of Islam are five:
1- To pronounce the formula of testimony (al -Kalimah al - Shadah)
2- To perform prayer (salah)
3- To give alms (Zakah)
4- To make pilgrimage (Hajj)
5- To fast during the month of Ramadan (sawm).

One who fulfills the conditions of Islam is called a Mu’min or Muslim.
Whoever denies any one requirement removes himself from Islam.
1) The Testimony of Faith:
The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “ Ash’hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash’hadu anna Muhammad’an abduhu wa Rasuluh”
Meaning: I bear witness that there is no god but God (Allah) and I bear witness that Muhammad  (p.b.u.h.) is the servant and messenger of God (Allah)
Or “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasoolu Allah.”
This saying means “There is no true god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger ( Prophet) of God.”
The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshiped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.
This testimony of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula that should be said with conviction in order to convert to Islam.
The testimony of faith is the most important pillar of Islam.
2) Al-Salah (Prayer)
Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshippers and God. There are no intermediaries between God and the worshippers.
In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her.
The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said: “ Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be comforted by it.”
(Abu-Dawood, H.N: 4985, and Mosnad Ahman, H.N: 22578.)
Bilal was one of Muhammad’s (p.b.u.h.) companions who was charged to call the people to prayers.
Daily Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.
A Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities.
3) Al-Zakah (To Give Alms)
Giving Zakah (Support of the Needy):
All things belong to God, and human beings therefore hold wealth by trust.
The original meaning of the word zekat is both “purification” and “growth.” Giving zekat means “giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.”
The percentage, which is due on gold, silver, and cash funds, that has reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possessions for lunar year is two and half percent.
Our possession are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balance and encourages new growth.
A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as voluntary alms or charity.
4) Al-Sawm (Fasting the Mouth of Ramadan)
Every year in the mouth of Ramadan all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.
The mouth of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (which is lunar, not solar)
although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification. By cutting oneself off from ordinary comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.
5) Al- Hajj (To Make pilgrimage To Makkah)
The pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.
About three - four million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.
Male pilgrims wear special simple cloths, which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water. Then pilgrims stand together in Arafat and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.
A festival, Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers, marks the end of the Hajj.
This, and Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the two annual festivals of the Muslim calendar.
EID; The Annual Festivals of Muslims:
In Islam, two annual festivals of the Muslim calendar. Religious Eid-Festivity.
The English meanings for the Arabic word of eid are happiness, rejoice and recurring happiness and festivity.
1- Eid Al-Fitr: Feast of fasting-breaking; festivity after fasting the month of Ramadan. It is for three consecutive days.
2- Eid Al-Adha: a festival, Feast of Sacrifice, the feast of pilgrimage, marks the end of the Hajj. It is for four consecutive days.

WHAT IS A SIN AND WHAT ARE THE MAJOR SINS -HARAM- IN ISLAM ?
Sin is violating any of God’s laws. Sins are divided in two types:
• Major -Big- Sins      • Minor Sins.
Major Mortal Sins:
1- Associating partners with God (Allah s.w.t.)
2- Murder,
3- False Accusation,
4- Adultery,
5- Desertion from a just war,
6- Making “Black Magic” or using charms and spells,
7- Misusing the orphan’s wealth,
8- Disobeying the legitimate wishes of one’s parents,
9- Committing a sin at the Kaaba,
10- To deal in interest,
11- Thievery,
12- Drinking beverages containing alcohol.

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