Religion

 

Islam is the official religion of the state where all the population is Muslim, the Qur’an is the source of the legislature.

 

The Five Pillars of Islam are:

  1. The shahadah, which is the basic creed or tenet of Islam that must be recited under an oath with the following specific statement: "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. Muslims must repeat the shahadah in prayer, and non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam are required to recite the creed.

  2. Salah, or ritual prayer, which must be performed five times a day. Each salah is done facing towards the Ka’aba in Mecca. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God, and is seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship. Salah is compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on circumstances. In many Muslim countries, reminders called Adhan (call to prayer) are broadcast publicly from local mosques at the appropriate times.

  3. Zakat, or alms-giving. This is the practice of giving based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. A fixed portion is spent to help the poor or needy, and also to assist the spread of Islam. The zakat is considered a religious obligation (as opposed to voluntary charity) that the well-off owe to the needy because their wealth is seen as a "trust from God's bounty". The Qur'an and the hadith also suggest a Muslim give even more as an act of voluntary alms-giving.

  4. Sawm, or fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims must not eat or drink (among other things) from dawn to dusk during this month, and must be mindful of other sins. The fast is to encourage a feeling of nearness to God, and during it Muslims should express their gratitude for and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy. Sawm is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would constitute an undue burden. For others, flexibility is allowed depending on circumstances, but missed fasts usually must be made up quickly.

  5. The Hajj, which is the pilgrimage during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime.

 
The Best Creative DisplayOur VisitorsSaudi Pavilion Celebrates National DayTent City of Mina

Saudi Pavilion Praised for Success at the Largest World Expo in History

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the Saudi pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 on Thursday.

September 23rd marks the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by its founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud and the beginning of the journey of development and growth of the land of the Two Holy Mosques, Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah AL-Munawwarah.

Saudi Arabia is displaying the Tent City of Mina in the Urban Best Practices Area for the first time as an innovative and life-improving urban experiment.

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