The Five Pillars of Islam
In Islam there are five major duties that are required by every Muslim. The first is accepting the Shahadah. Second is performing Prayer. Third is Fasting during the month of Ramadhan. Forth is making the ever lasting journey for Hajj. And the fifth one is to help out with Zakkat. It is pretty easy once you understand what is involved.
The Acceptance of One GOD
Shahadah, is the acceptance of one GOD 
. Also that Muhammad 
was a prophet of GOD . When one does decide to make Islam his/her religion, they will recite the
Shahadah. You may say it in your native language, or have someone say the words in Arabic and you repeat what is said. It is best to say it when you have a full understanding of what is being spoken. Here is the
Shahadah translated to English:
"I testify that there is none worth worshipping except the
Almighty Allah , Who is One and has no partner. And I testify that Muhammad
is His servant and messenger."
Prayer in Islam
"Perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) from mid-day till the darkness of the night (i.e. the Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrb, and 'Isha' prayers) and recite the Qur'an in the early dawn (i.e. the morning prayer). Verily, the recitation of the Qur'an in the early dawn is ever witnessed (attended by the angels in charge of mankind of the day and the night)" (Quran 17:78).
Mosques are where Muslims go to pray, like the Church for Christians, and Synagogue for the Jews. Muslims pray five (5) times a day. We have an
Adhan (one who calls the time of prayers). We pray five times a day, as to not to forget GOD . To keep Him in our minds and hearts. We pray in the (Fajr) early morning before the sun rises, (Zuhr) at high noon, (Asr)
in mid afternoon, (Maghrib) at sunset, and (Isha) night. When a Muslim gives prayer he/she must wash
(wudu) and be represented clean for each prayer. Women must cover their bodies, exposing only their faces and hands, while men must also cover their bodies. We also pray in the direction of the Ka'bah.
"We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction. The people of the book know well that that is the truth from their Lord, nor is Allah
unmindful of what they do." (Holy Qur'an, sura2 A.144).
While we pray we say verses from the Qur'an,
we praise Allah (GOD) , we ask for his forgiveness and for his compassion on our souls. While we pray it is in absolute silence, with no noise of
TV, radios and such. We pray as if we were trying to pass the hardest test of our lives, so our minds are totally on the thought of Allah . Plus, one must also take his/her time and not rush through it.
Ramadhan
Ramadhan, is one of the Islamic
calendar months, we fast during this month. Islamic months follow the cycle of the moon. When there is a new moon, it is the start of the new month, each month is about 29 to 30 days long.
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.- (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who
can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you
that ye fast, if ye only knew. Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and
wrong). So everyone of you who is present (at home) during that month should spent it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on journey, the prescribed period (should be made
up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Holy Qur'an sura2 A.183-185).
The reason we fast, is to strengthen our spiritual and mental being. Fasting is not just about not eating or drinking during the day, it is also about our thoughts as well. To control or eliminate bad habits and start or improve new habits. At dusk we
break our fast by eating a small meal before Maghrib prayers. Why a small meal is because our system has been slowed all during the day and it is best to start small as
to not to get an up-set stomach, plus to eat Halal (Islamicly blessed) meats.
Later we eat again, a normal meal. Also at night, we start to read Qur'an and finish our
prayers. During the night it is also good to give extras prayers. Normally we do extra prayers at the Mosques, they are done differently then the regular prayers. After the
29-30 days of fasting we have a festival called Eid ul Fitr, we have special prayers for this also, best to give pray is from sunrise till noon at Zuhr prayers. Then after that we go and visit family and friends, to wish them a happy Eid and hope to see them do it all again next year.
Note, if you are unable to fast because of medical reasons, it is not held against you. Islam is not a hard religion, it is a very compassionate religion.
Hajj
Hajj or the pilgrimage to Makkah, in Saudia Arabia. If one can not afford to make this journey in ones
lifetime, it is not held against them for Allah is Oft-Forgiving. Hajj, is in the Islamic month of Dhu al Hijjah, which is the 12th month. Hajj, starts on the first ten days of the month.
"For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, let there
be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, O ye that are wise." (Holy Qur'an sura2 A.197).
When one goes to Makkah, on the first day, you will
receive a ihram (pilgrim garment). Once you enter into Makkah it is a time of worship, prayer and denial of vanities; the going round of the Ka'bah seven times, after a short prayer at the Station of Abraham , the pilgrim will journey to the hills of Safa and Marwa, symbol of patience and perseverance; on the 7th of Dhu al Hijjah, a sermon on the meaning of Hajj, on the 8th day,
the six (6) mile journey to the Valley of Mina starts continuing, on the 9th to the hill of
'Arafat (Mount of Mercy), on the 10th day, is the start of Eid Al Adha, which a sacrifice is offered in the Valley of Mina, shaving of ones head or trim, casting of seven pebbles at the Jamarat (the symbol of the devil).
Zakkat in Islam
Zakkat is
a lot like tithe that Christians give every Sunday. In Islam, it does not go to the mosque, it goes to people, who are in need of food, clothing and such. In Islam, we give what we can to help our fellow
Muslims. It is something from ones heart. We have a certain percentage to give from each yearly
salary, however it does not have to be money, it can be from anything of value, such as gold, grain, and
etcetera....it can also be a kind hand, a caring smile, and sharing of good deeds. Islam is very
grand in its way of giving credit to those who do good and righteous deeds.
