World Culture . Islam - Term Paper Example

?Islam is based on five basic acts. They are said to be instructions from prophet Mohamed who is regarded as God's messenger and servant to believers, which all Muslims are obligated to do them. These five pillars are considered as the framework of Islam. This paper will discuss the five pillars in detail and explain how each pillar contributes in the making of a better society. It will also illustrate how the pillars as a group affect the society positively. The first pillar of Islam is the declaring of faith also known as shahadah. This is where in order for someone to become a Muslim; they must declare that they believe in only one Allah. By doing so, they agree that there is no other real god who deserves to be worshiped. By proclaiming their faith, they agree that only Allah is supposed to be worshiped, and he has neither a son nor a partner. Shahadah is regarded as the most essential pillar of Islam (Hussein 4). However, believers are not only supposed to make the statement but should also believe in what they are declaring. Shahadah helps the society in that, by declaring that one believes in only the true God Allah and his servant Mohamed is accepting to become a Muslim. In order for one to be a faithful Muslim, they must follow all instructions of Allah through the Koran. Since the Koran prohibits social evils which include prostitution, stealing, corruption and drinking of alcohol among other things, such things will be minimal in the society. For example, health issues such as spread of sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS will not affect the society if each and every person in the society declares their faith in Islam. Issues such corruption among government officials will be minimal hence development of the society both in infrastructure and economy. The second pillar of Islam is known as salat. This is an Islamic prayer which believers are supposed to pray five times every day. This prayer takes only five minutes and is regarded as a direct link to Allah (Hussein 26). The first prayer is known as fajir and is said early in the morning before the sun rises. Zuhr is the second prayer and is usually said at noon. The third prayer is asr and is normally said after noon. The forth and the final prayer s are Maghrib and isha which are said after the sun sets and in the late in the evening respectively. These prayers are supposed to be said while both kneeling and bowing which signifies submitting to Allah. Believers should purify themselves by washing their hands before reciting these prayers (Hussein 28). Salat helps the society in that it gives believers comfort, inner peace and happiness. This in turn results in good relations between people in the society as they go about their daily activities. This will affect the society positively because people will interact when they are in good moods hence there will be no confrontations. This will result to people living in harmony and helping each other thus a better society. Prayer also brings blessings from Allah thus resulting to the entire society being blessed. Zakat is the third pillar of Islam in Islam. All believers of Islam are required to give 2.5 percent of their material wealth to the less fortunate in the society. However, giving is not limited to the 2.5 percent. It is based on the fact that all wealth belongs to Allah and is given to people to keep it safe (Hussein 42) and since God is the one who provides to the needy, they are just doing God’s work. However, there are five guidelines that should be followed when giving zakat (Hussein 45). First of all someone should proclaim to Allah that they wish to give zakat; it should also be given in time; after giving one should not overstate what they have offered during prayer; if a believer is not in a financial position to give, it is not compulsory they can compensate by doing good things to others; finally, zakat given should be shared among the whole community. Zakat improves the society in that; needy people are taken care of by the society itself. They are given food, shelter and clothing among other things. This helps the society by minimizing crime since needy people do not have to turn to crime for a living. Practices such as prostitution will not be practiced thus minimizing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS in the community hence a healthy society. Ramadhan is the fourth fundamental pillar of Islam. In the twelve month of the Muslim calendar, it is mandatory for all believers who have reached puberty to fast from when the sun rises until dawn. However, children and those medically unfit are exempted from fasting during Ramadhan. Apart from food, believers are also expected to desist from sexual relations, violence, gossip, lust greed, envy, profound language and anger among other things. This is viewed as a principal method of self-spiritual purification (Hussein 79). By secluding oneself from the comforts of the world, believers focus their purpose on earth while constantly being reminded of Allah’s presence. Fasting is not only helpful in the spiritual health of the believer but also benefits their health by avoiding issues like stress which result to health complication. However, believers are not forbidden to fast any other time apart from Ramadan. They can fast out of their own will during other times. The end of Ramadan is signified by the festival of idd- al-fitr. Fasting helps the society in many ways. For example, it improves the general health of the society since as we have seen fasting may improve the physical health of the believer. It also helps the society as believers are suppose to avoid confrontations, violence, anger, and use of foul languages among other things. Without this, society will live in peace and harmony. During the feast of idd-al-fitr, food is shared among the community hence feeding those who cannot afford food in the society. Hajj is the final pillar of Islam. This is where believers are supposed to travel to the city of Mecca at least once in their time on earth if they have the physical and financial capability. This is the place where it is believed Allah commanded Abraham and his son to construct a mosque (Hussein 99). Here believers are expected to wear simple clothes to remove distinctions of class. They are also supposed to walk round the mosque at least seven times. The end of pilgrimage is marked by a feast known as eid al-aldha. Hajj contributes to the society in that people interact during this pilgrimage regardless of wealth and class hence good interaction in the society. Here people who are of lower class are able to interact with people how hold high positions in governance, giving them the issues in the society like poverty thus finding solutions to the problem. Hajj also helps the society in that, when people from under developed countries travel to Saudi Arabia during hajj, they borrow ideas from fellow Muslims who come from developed countries. They in turn go home and implement the ideas in their society hence improving their society’s standards. In conclusion Islam in general has impacted most societies positively. Rules and guidelines of life in the Koran have minimized crimes, corruption and other evils which are rampant in other societies. If each and every person in the world would use the five pillars of Islam, the world would be a better place. Reference Hussain, Musharraf. The Five Pillars of Islam: Laying the Foundations of Divine Love and Service to Humanity: 2012. london Read More