Isl<u>a</u>m - Britannica.com


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	Islam Prayer The second pillar consists of five daily congregational prayers. These prayers may be offered individually if one is unable to go to the mosque. The first prayer is performed before sunrise, the second just after noon, the third in the later afternoon, the fourth immediately after sunset, and the fifth before retiring to bed. Before a prayer, ablutions, including the washing of hands, face, and feet, are performed. The muezzin (one who gives the call for prayer) chants aloud from a raised place (such as a tower) in the mosque. When prayer starts, the imam, or leader (of the prayer), stands in the front facing in the direction of Mecca, and the congregation stands behind him in rows, following him in various postures. Each prayer consists of two to four genuflection units (rak'ah); each unit consists of a standing posture (during which verses from the Qur'an are recited--in certain prayers aloud, in others silently), as well as a genuflection and two prostrations. At every change in posture, "God is great" is recited. Tradition has fixed the materials to be recited in each posture. Special congregational prayers are offered on Friday instead of the prayer just after noon. The Friday service consists of a sermon (khutbah), part of which consists of preaching in the local language and part of recitation of certain formulas in Arabic. In the sermon, the preacher usually recites a verse of the Qur'an and builds his address on it, which can be of a moral, social, or political content. Friday sermons have usually considerable impact on public opinion regarding sociopolitical questions. Although not ordained as an obligatory duty, nocturnal prayers (called tahajjud) are encouraged, particularly during the latter half of the night. During the month of Ramadan (see below Fasting), lengthy prayers are offered congregationally before retiring and are called tarawih. In strict doctrine, the five daily prayers cannot be waived even for the sick, who may pray in bed and, if necessary, lying down. When on a journey, the two afternoon prayers may be combined into one; the sunset and late evening prayers may be combined as well. In practice, however, much laxity has occurred, particularly in modern times, although Friday prayers are still well attended. The zakat The third pillar is the obligatory tax called zakat ("purification," indicating that such a payment makes the rest of one's wealth religiously and legally pure). This is the only permanent tax levied by the Qur'an and is payable annually on food grains, cattle, and cash after one year's possession. The amount varies for different categories. Thus, on grains and fruits it is 10 percent if land is watered by rain, 5 percent if land is watered artificially. On cash and precious metals it is 2¹/₂ percent. Zakat is collectable by the state and is to be used primarily for the poor, but the Qur'an mentions other purposes: ransoming Muslim war captives, redeeming chronic debts, paying tax collectors' fees, jihad (and by extension, according to Qur'an commentators, education and health), and creating facilities for travellers. After the breakup of Muslim religio-political power, payment of zakat has become a matter of voluntary charity dependent on individual conscience. Some Muslim countries are seeking to reintroduce it, and in several Middle Eastern countries zakat is officially collected, but on a voluntary basis. << Previous \| Next >> Click here for a list of other articles that contain information on this subject Contents of this article: Introduction The foundations of Islam The legacy of Muhammad Sources of Islamic doctrinal and social views Doctrines of the Qur'an God The universe Man Satan, sin, and repentance Prophecy Eschatology Social service Fundamental practices and institutions of Islam The five pillars The shahadah, or profession of faith Prayer The zakat Fasting The hajj Sacred places and days Shrines of Sufi saints The mosque Holy days Islamic thought Origins, nature, and significance of Islamic theology Early developments The Hellenistic legacy Theology and sectarianism The Khawarij The Mu'tazilah The Sunnah The way of the majority Tolerance of diversity Influence of al-Ash'ari and al-Maturidi The Shi'ah Isma'iliI Related sects The SufiI Other groups The Ahmadiyah The "Black Muslims" Islamic philosophy The Eastern philosophers Background and scope of philosophical interest in Islam Relation to the Mu'tazilah and interpretation of theological issues. The teachings of al-Kindi The teachings of Abu Bakr ar-Razi The teachings of al-Farabi Political philosophy and the study of religion Interpretation of Plato and Aristotle The analogy of religion and philosophy Impact on Isma'ili theology The teachings of Avicenna The "Oriental Philosophy" Distinction between essence and existence and the doctrine of creation The immortality of individual souls Philosophy, religion, and mysticism The Western philosophers Background and characteristics of the Western Muslim philosophical tradition The teachings of Ibn Bajjah Theoretical science and intuitive knowledge Unconcern of philosophy with reform The teachings of Ibn Tufayl The philosopher as a solitary individual Concern for reform The hidden secret of Avicenna's "Oriental Philosophy" The teachings of Averroës Philosophy The divine law Theology The new wisdom: synthesis of philosophy and mysticism Philosophy, traditionalism, and the new wisdom Philosophy Traditionalism and the new wisdom Characteristic features of the new wisdom Critiques of Aristotle in Islamic theology Synthesis of philosophy and mysticism Primary teachers of the new wisdom The teachings of as-Suhrawardi The teachings of Ibn al-'Arabi The teachings of Twelver Shi'ism and the school of Esfahan The teachings of Mir Damah The teachings of Mulla Sadra Impact of modernism Social and ethical principles Family life The state Education Cultural diversity Religion and the arts The visual arts Music Literature Architecture Islamic myth and legend Sources and variations The Qur'an and non-Islamic influences The mystics Types of myth and legend Cosmogony and eschatology Tales and legends concerning religious figures Muhammad Other Qur'anic figures Mystics and other later figures Mythologization of secular tales Tales and beliefs about numbers and letters Illustration of myth and legend Significance and modern interpretations Bibliography General works Education Political theory and institutions Islamic arts Theology and philosophy Islamic myth and legend


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