Expressing Islamic Faith: A Personal Journey And Experience

Islam is a large and complex religion with approximately 1.9 billion followers worldwide. While most Muslims are Sunni or Shi'a, there are other denominations, such as Ibadi, Ahmadiyya, and Sufism. Muslims express their faith through the Five Pillars of Islam, which are considered normative for all observant Muslims. These pillars are: the profession of faith (Shahadah), prayer (Salah), charity (Zakah), fasting (Sawm), and pilgrimage (Hajj).

Testimony of Faith (Shahadah)

The Shahadah, or the Testimony of Faith, is the first pillar of Islam and the foundation upon which the religion is built. It is a simple and sincere declaration that signals the start of a new life with a clear purpose.

The Shahadah is a phrase comprising two distinct parts pronounced in a single sentence:

> La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun Rasulullah

> No one is worthy of worship except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

The first part of the Shahadah is a clear commitment to the worship of one God, Allah, and a rejection of all other Gods or intermediaries. In Islam, Allah has no partners or intercessors, and he alone is supreme and able to respond to one's prayers. By proclaiming the Shahadah, one affirms a sincere belief in the oneness of Allah and accepts that Allah alone should be at the centre of one's life. This concept, known as Tawhid, is reiterated in the Quran:

> 'And I have not created neither jinn nor humans, except to worship Me Alone.' [Noble Quran 51:56]

The second part of the Shahadah affirms the role of Muhammad as the final Prophet of Allah and Messenger of Islam to all of mankind. Muhammad was blessed with the final revelation from God, the Quran, which supersedes all previous messages and revelations. By accepting Muhammad as the Messenger of Allah, one also accepts him as a role model, with his example and teachings shaping one's journey as a Muslim.

The recitation of the Shahadah is the most common statement of faith for Muslims and is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is whispered into the ear of a newborn child and into the ear of a dying person. The Shahadah is also the only formal step required for conversion to Islam. A single honest recitation of the Shahadah is all that is needed for a person to become a Muslim, according to most traditional schools.

Prayer (Salah)

Prayer, or Salah, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and it is considered the foremost expression of a Muslim's faithfulness. Muslims pray five times a day: at dawn, noon, in the late afternoon, at sunset, and in the evening/nighttime. These prayers are known as Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha, respectively. The timing of these prayers is based on the position of the sun and varies according to local latitude and longitude.

Before praying, Muslims perform Wudu, a ritualistic washing of the hands, feet, arms, and legs. They must also be dressed modestly in clean clothing. While it is preferable to pray in the company of other Muslims, one may pray wherever they are when prayer time arrives, in any clean place. This can include a mosque or even a corner of an office or home, as long as they are facing the Kaaba in Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Traditionally, prayers are said while standing on a small prayer rug, performing a series of ritualized gestures and movements intended to glorify Allah.

The prayer ritual, known as Rak'ha, is repeated two to four times, depending on the time of day. Here is a breakdown of the steps involved in the Rak'ha:

• Takbir: Worshippers stand and raise their open hands to shoulder level, proclaiming "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great").
• Qiyaam: Faithful cross their right arm over their left across their chest or navel while still standing. The first chapter of the Quran is read, along with other supplications.
• Ruku: Worshippers bow toward Mecca, place their hands on their knees, and repeat, "Glory be to God, the greatest," three times.
• Second Qiyaam: The faithful return to a standing position, with arms at their sides, and proclaim Allah's glory again.
• Sujud: Worshippers kneel with only their palms, knees, toes, forehead, and nose touching the ground. "Glory be to God, the highest" is repeated three times.
• Tashahhud: Transition into a seated pose, with feet beneath them and hands on their laps. This is a moment to pause and reflect on one's prayer.
• Tashahhud is repeated. Prayers to Allah are said, and the faithful raise their right index fingers to proclaim their devotion. Worshippers also ask Allah for forgiveness and mercy.

If praying communally, Muslims will conclude with a brief message of peace for one another, turning first to their right, then to their left, and offering the greeting, "Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah."

Charity (Zakah)

Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their net wealth, not just their current income, to charity for the welfare of the community. This is based on the value of all of their possessions above a certain minimum amount, known as 'nisab', each lunar year. This amount is to be paid to the poor and the needy, to Zakat collectors, orphans, widows, those to be freed from slavery, the aged who cannot work, those in debt, and stranded travellers.

Zakah is considered a duty to God and is a way for Muslims to express their concern for the well-being of fellow Muslims, as well as preserving social harmony between the wealthy and the poor. It is also believed that those who give Zakah will be rewarded by God in the afterlife.

In some Muslim-majority countries, such as Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen, Zakah contributions are mandated and collected by the state. In other countries, such as the UK, Muslims may give directly to charities or contribute to collections in mosques, which then distribute the money to those in need.

Fasting (Sawm)

Muslims believe that the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan, and so it is considered a sacred month. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and lasts for 29 or 30 days. During this time, Muslims wake up early to eat a meal before sunrise and then abstain from all food and drink until sunset. In the evening, they break their fast with a meal known as "iftar", often starting with dates and water, following the example of Prophet Muhammad.

The month of Ramadan is a time for Muslims to strengthen their connection with God and increase their spiritual discipline. It is also a time for self-improvement and self-control, as they strive to avoid negative behaviours such as lying, gossiping, and angry thoughts. This period of fasting is not just about physical abstinence but also about improving one's character and behaviour.

Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims. However, there are exemptions for those who are physically or mentally unwell, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, or travelling. Those who are unable to fast during Ramadan are encouraged to make up for the missed days later in the year or to donate to the poor.

The end of Ramadan is marked by the festival of Eid al-Fitr, a joyous occasion filled with prayers, family gatherings, gift-giving, and celebratory meals.

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

The Hajj is associated with the Islamic prophet Muhammad from the 7th century AD, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca stated in Muslim sources stretches back to the time of Abraham. During the Hajj, pilgrims join processions of millions of Muslims who simultaneously converge on Mecca and perform a series of pre-Islamic rituals (reformed by Muhammad). Each person wears a single piece of unstitched white clothing (Ihram) and enters a state of holiness and purity known as Ihram. Men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, and instead wear two white seamless sheets that are wrapped around the body. Women may wear sewn clothes.

Upon arriving at the Al-Masjid Al-Ḥaram, pilgrims perform a ritual known as Tawaf, which involves walking seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba, a cube-shaped building and the direction of prayer for Muslims. They then kiss or touch the Black Stone mounted on the corner wall of the Kaaba. The Kaaba holds a deep religious significance for Muslims, as it is believed to hold the black stone upon which Ibrahim was to sacrifice his son, Ismail.

After the Tawaf, pilgrims walk briskly back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, drink from the Zamzam Well, and go to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil. They then spend a night in the plain of Muzdalifah and perform the symbolic Stoning of the Devil by throwing stones at three pillars. After the sacrifice of cattle, the pilgrims are required to either shave or trim their heads (if male) or trim the ends of their hair (if female).

The Hajj is a unifying force in Islam, bringing together Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages, and economic classes from around the world to perform religious rituals and acts of worshipping God. It is also seen as a chance to seek God's forgiveness for past sins and to grow closer to God.

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