Houston Smith Part 3

Page 47-75

The Five Pillars: Why are the Five Pillars very significant to Muslims?

1.       They teach Muslims to walk a straight path that leads to the ultimate goal which is entrance to paradise on Judgment Day (Yawm al-din)

2.       They unite the umma or Muslim community.

3.       The Five Pillars are considered one of the strengths of Islam

4.       They are the principles that regulate Muslims and their dealing with Allah

5.       The 5 prayers that Muslims chant 3 times a day represent the 5 pillars and they reestablish the direct path to Allah that Muslims should follow according to the Koran

Thesis: The Five Pillars are essential for Muslims because they provide a direct path to the submission to the will of god that Muslims seek to follow. Also, they are all part of the Koran that acts as a guide to the appropriate lifestyle that a Muslim should follow.

Social Teachings: To what extent can the social teachings from the Koran be viewed in the way Muslims act?

1.       Islam had a rapid affect on the morals of Arabs. Most importantly in the way that they live their lives.

2.       The Koran is the book of written law and focuses on economics, the status of women, race relations, and the use of force.

3.       Wealth is passed down to male descendants.

4.       Men are considered to be above women. The different sexes are viewed as unequal  however the Koran includes possibility of women becoming equals to men

5.       Using force is seen as acceptable if it is for the purposes of Islam and is used for the greater good.

Thesis: The way Muslims act can be viewed as a direct result of the Koran since the Koran contains ideas about all aspects of human life including the way that society should be.