The 5 Pillars Myth

5 PILLARS MYTH In today's version of Islam, we hear that the religion has been built upon 5Pillars which, if upheld, grant the person a very high chance of his/her succeeding in this worldly life and entering paradise... The 5-Pillars are described as follows: 1. Witnessing there is no god but GOD, and that Mohammed is His messenger; 2. The daily Prayer/Salat - 5-times per day; 3. The obligatory charity (zakat) amounting to 2.5% per annum; 4. Fasting the month of Ramadhan; 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once. Although the above has now been taught to over 1-billion people worldwide as being 'Islam'...What perhaps may become obvious to readers of this site is that GOD Has provided mankind with a SYSTEM (click for 'What is Religion?') and not a set of rituals... In this page we will present the 'true' pillars that all Muslims will unite around, as well as presenting select articles which will show different understanding of today's pillars. THE 'TRUE' PILLARS OF ISLAM "Abraham was a nation, humble to GOD, a monotheist; he was not of those who set-up partners. Thankful to what provisions he was provided; He selected him, and guided him to a Straight Path. And We have given him good in this world, and in the hereafter he is one of the upright. Then We inspired you: 'follow the creed of Abraham, monotheism; he was not from those who set-up partners." (16:120-123) Monotheism (the path of the One GOD) is directly related to the 'Straight Path': "Say: 'my Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, an upright religion, the creed of Abraham, monotheism; he was not from those who set-up partners'. " (6:161)

THE STRAIGHT PATH Here now is the LAW which all Submitters are to uphold and honor: "Say: 'come let me recite to you what your Lord Has forbade for you:

that you should not set-up anything with Him. And be kind to your parents; and do not kill your unborn children for fear of poverty, We provide for you and for them; and do not come near evil, what is openly of it, or secretly; and do not kill the soul which GOD Has forbidden, except in justice. That is what He enjoined you that you may comprehend'. 'And do not come near the money of the orphan, except for what is best, until he reached his maturity; and give honestly full measure and weight equitably. We do not burden a soul except by what it can bear. And if you speak then be just even if against a relative; and with pledges made to GOD you shall observe. This He Has enjoined you that you may remember'. And this is *My path, a Straight One, so you shall follow it, and do not follow the other paths lest they divert you from His path. That is what He has enjoined you to that you may be righteous." (6:151-153) *Please note that this is the SAME Straight Path that was revealed not only to Abraham, but to Moses and his people (the exception being the Sabbath which was made as a punishment for some of the Children of Israel 16:124).