Teachings Of Islam
- The confession of faith "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger (apostle) of Allah".
- Prayer (Salat) This is the duty of every Muslim (able to do so). The prescribed ritual prayers five times daily, at prescribed times, with the prescribed posture, have to be observed. During these five prayers a fixed prayer-text must be recited seventeen times altogether (twice in the morning; four times at noon; four times in the afternoon; three times in the evening and four times at night). This is called by many Persian and Indian Muslims 'namaz'. The wording of this prayer is found in the appendix.
- The giving of alms is a religious duty and should amount to not less than 2.5% of the income above ones needs.
- Keeping the Fast during the month of Ramadaan is a duty for all, except the sick, travellers, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. The fast is to last from the rising of the sun until sunset.
- Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) is required once in a lifetime during the month of Zu'l-Hijjah, if the means allow this. There is also a minor pilgrimage (Umra), which is performed at other times. We ought to realize that very considerable cost is involved in a pilgrimage, quite apart from the travel fare.
- Some add to this the Holy War (Jihaad). Today in the West this concept is often interpreted as 'the spreading of your faith.
- The call to prayer signals that the time for prayer has arrived. Formerly, this was sounded by the Muezzin from the Minaret (tower) of a mosque but nowadays this is done with loudspeakers. All over the globe, even in a predominantly Christian setting, the five prayer times impress the Islamic challenge from the mosque on the community.
- People who are obliged to keep the fast during Ramadan:
- all Muslims, male and female
- children from adolescence onwards, e.g. with seven years encouraged, with ten years obliged.
- mentally and physically fit people
- People exempted from fasting:
- sick people
- those on a long journey
- pregnant or menstruating women
- breast-feeding women