The Quran, Arabic Text and English Translation, Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The good, the beautiful and the useful in manīs life are derived from God. Yet man is ungrateful. He runs after the ephemeral things of this life; Yet they are no better than the green of the fields, that lasts for a season ere it perish!
Godīs call is to an eternal Home of Peace. Will ye not answer it? Know ye not that it is He Who sustains and cherishes? No partner has He. And He speaks to His creatures and guides them through His wonderful Book Unmatched.
C.100
Pillars of Faith
Al Islam has 5 main pillars of faith.
First Pillar of Islam. Believe and declare faith (Shahadah) by reciting the Shahadah before witnesses: There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (La ilaha ila Allah; Muhammadur-rasul Allah)
Second Pillar of Islam. Prayer (Salah) must be performed 5 times each day: dawn (Fajr), after noon (Dhuhr), mid-afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and early night (Isha). Ritual cleanliness is required before each prayer.
Third Pillar of Islam. Sharing of wealth also called the alms tax (Zakah). for most purposes the tax rate is 2.5% of oneīs capital. Voluntary charity (Sadaqah) is rewarded as a good deed.
Fourth Pillar of Islam. Ritual fasting (Sawm) during the month of Ramadan. There are other recommended fasts throughout the year. Fasting is encouraged, but constant fasting is strictly forbidden.
Fifth Pillar of Islam. Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah in Saudi Arabia at least once during oneīs lifetime.
