Islam is the final of the three Abrahamic faiths, which emerged in the 7th century after Judaism and Christianity. The term Islam means submission to the will of Allah God by doing what has been commanded and refraining from what is prohibited. The core beliefs and practices of Islam are encapsulated in the five pillars, which are considered obligatory for all Muslims to fulfil during their lifetime.
It is considered the fundamental statement of faith and commitment made by Muslims, which goes as: "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah. The recitation of Shahadah symbolizes the acceptance of the Islamic faith, and it is also recited during daily prayers. Salah or ritual prayer is an essential aspect of Islamic worship and involves conforming to the will of Allah. Muslims pray five times a day, facing the Kaaba in Mecca, which is considered the holiest site in Islam.
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, and it is an obligatory charity that every Muslim must pay. It is an act of worship and a means of purification of wealth.
Zakat is calculated at 2. The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before being liable to pay Zakat. The current Nisab is calculated based on the value of 85g of pure gold. Zakat can be given to eight categories of people, including the poor, the needy, those employed to collect Zakat, those in debt, those in the way of Allah, travellers, and the weak from amongst the newly converted to Islam.
Zakat can be paid to the beneficiaries directly or through charitable organizations. Fasting Sawm is the fourth pillar of Islam, and it refers to fasting during the month of Ramadan. It is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam and is considered a means of purifying the soul and strengthening one's faith. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. Fasting is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is healthy and has reached the age of puberty.
