Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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2. Salat: observance of five daily prayers
3. Zakat: giving alms to the poor, as a religious tax, usually two and half percent of annual
income
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Ramadan: a month of fasting and spiritual discipline in the ninth month of the lunar calendar
5. Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca and the Ka'bah (the house of God) at least once in a lifetime
Sometimes a 'Holy War' (jihad) against unbelievers to defend Islam is described as the sixth pillar and immediate entry to paradise is promised to those who die in a holy war; modern Islam interprets jihad as a war against sins and sinners for the cause of religion. Sincere observance of the above duties and leading a life in accordance with the Quar'an, is sufficient guarantee of heaven.
Muslim ethics are mainly social: such as hospitality; obedience to parents; avoidance of adultery, cheating and lying; and refraining from stealing, killing and murder. Islam forbids violence except in the name of religion, or self-defence. It teaches individual virtues such as refraining from intoxicating drinks and from the use of perfumed oils; and cultivates renunciation and non-attachment towards worldly possessions. It also regulates marriage, divorce, dowry, inheritance, funeral ceremonies, and practically every sphere of life including economics, family life and the behaviour of rulers.
Prayer
Prayer for a Muslim involves uniting mind, soul, and body in worship; so a Muslim carrying out these prayers will perform a whole series of set movements that go with the words of the prayer and put aside all worldly cares and thoughts so that they can concentrate exclusively on God. A Muslim prays as if standing in the presence of Allah. There is no need of a priest as an intermediary (the imam is simply a person who has knowledge about Islam). Muslims can pray anywhere, but it is especially good to pray with others in a mosque. Praying together in a congregation helps Muslims to realise that all humanity is one, and all are equal in the sight of Allah. Muslims must be clean before they pray. They make sure of this by performing ritual washing, called Wuhu. Mosques have washing facilities. Everyone sits on the floor and everywhere in the mosque is equal in status. Women can attend the mosque and when they do they sit separately from the men. This is out of modesty and to prevent any distraction. Usually women pray at home. Muslim religious prayer halls are known as mosques and spiritual leaders as Imams. They provide a number of services such as the channelling of alms (zakat) to the poor; providing Imams to visit Muslims who are sick in hospital or inmates in prison, instruction in the Arabic language, solemnisation of marriage and burial rites. Women do not attend the mosque regularly, and when they attend they sit separately. In Islamic countries, the public call to prayer from the mosques sets the rhythm of the day for the entire population, including nonMuslims.
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