1. The first pillar of Islam is called Shahadah. This means Belief. The words of the Shahadah are: ‘I witness that there is no other god but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah.’ These words are spoken into the ear of a new-born baby. When a Muslim is dying, they are the last words which he or she will say. The Oneness of God is very important for Muslims: they do not allow any pictures to be drawn of Allah, or Mohammed, or of any other person or animal.

2. The second pillar of Islam is Salat. This means Prayer. Muslims pray five times a day. The prayers have to be said in a special way, with bowing, kneeling, prostrating (lying down) and other movements. This act of prayer is called rakat. Before praying, a muslim must wash in a special way. This is called wudu. A Muslim can pray anywhere, but it must be at the right time, facing towards Mecca, and in a clean place. On Friday, the Muslim Holy Day, Muslims gather together in the Mosque for their prayers.

3. The third pillar of Islam is Zakat. This means Almsgiving, which is giving money to the poor. All Muslims (unless they are very poor themselves) must give at least 2½% of their income to the poor. They can give more, if they want. Sometimes the money is collected at the Mosque.

4. The fourth pillar of Islam is Sawm. This means Fasting. All Muslims over the age of 10 have to fast during the ninth month of the Muslim year, which is called Ramadan. The Fast means doing without food, drink, smoking and even toothpaste. The fast is only during daylight, so when it is dark, a Muslim may eat again. During Ramadan, Muslims try especially hard to lead good lives. Ramadan is the time of year when Mohammed received the first words of the Quran from Allah.

5. The fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj. This means Pilgrimage. All Muslims should make a pilgrimage to Mecca once during their lifetime. When they are in Mecca, all pilgrims have to wear the same simple white clothes. For Muslims, Mecca is the most holy place of all. Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca.

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