Was there an error made, was there a man dismayed? By HJS

The Five Pillars

This week, Barak Obama told us that he was going to introduce the Five Pillars, the new foundation upon which our future will be based. However, when he began explaining these "Pillars", he seems to have gotten them wrong. Perhaps I should do what I can to refresh his memory.

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;

Establishment of the daily prayers;

Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;

Self-purification through fasting;

and
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able. *

Of particular interest among the Five Pillars is one on taxing and charity:

Zakah The financial obligation upon Muslims.

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakah means both "purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves the annual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools.

An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning.

The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a
cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then
give something out of such earnings in charity."

The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity." *
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Since the president was so deferential in his audience with the dear leader of the Al-Saud, I thought perhaps he was either showing his liege that he could bring the Five Pillars here, or perhaps by using the term, he is simply signaling his new friends that we are indeed en route to our new destination and moving right along.

One wonders if he would be surprised that we, the uninitiated, already know what the Five Pillars are (after all, we read politicomafioso.com and listen to middleeastradioforum.com on the computer or KKNT on the radio.) Judging from some of the errors we have seen recently, I would say that we the uninitiated are not the ones uninformed or misinformed.

* Note: The descriptions were from Islam 101 at the following site:

http://islam101.com/dawah/pillars.html

An interesting site. Thank you, Islam 101 for the information always available on your site.