Islam. Why are the Five Pillars important to Muslims for their daily lives? (Autumn 1)

What do Muslims believe about Allah?

The symbol of the crescent moon and star is often associated with Islam. For a Muslim, their faith is like a guiding star and the moon lights their pathway.

Explore these words from the start of the Qur’an.

What can we learn about how Muslims view God from them?

“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone do we worship, and Your aid we seek, show us the straight way, The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.”

There are two main groups of Muslims called Sunni and Shi’a. Sunni Muslims follow the Five Pillars which we are learning about over the next few weeks, but Shi’a Muslims follow Ten Obligatory Acts. These Ten Acts include 4 of the Five Pillars.

How do Muslims show their belief in God in their day to day lives?

Session 2 - What are the Five Pillars of Islam? What is the Shahadah?

What do we believe?

Ask the children to stand behind their chair and when it is their turn to step forward, state one thing they believe in. Answer truthfully and all must respect other views and responses. We are listening to what an individual believes and this is important to them.

How would you feel if someone laughed at your belief? Is the belief we have selected part of our own worldview? Did someone / something influence this belief?

Why do we have rules? How do they help us? Who makes these rules? The 'holy book' containing rules, such as the Qur'an. Remember there are lots of beliefs in the Qur’an for Muslims but there is a key statement of faith which is called the Shahadah. This is a statement of faith.

“There is no God but Allah and Muhammad (PBUH) is his messenger.”

What does Shahadah mean to a Muslim?

The Shahadah (Shahada) is important as it is the first words a new baby hears, it is used during prayers, it is recited in the Adhan (call to prayer), they are important words for the end of life for a Muslim and if someone wishes to be a Muslim these are also the words they say with two witnesses. Many Muslims describe this as reverting to Islam.

Look at some examples of the Shahadah in Islamic art / calligraphy talking about the care taken over creating this piece of work.

The Shahadah is a ‘Pillar of Islam’, what do they think that means.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at the other Pillars.

We are going to be considering the term Ibadah which is about worship, devotion to God and belief in action (service).

There are Five Pillars in total. What would happen if a pillar was taken away? They are all there to help support a Muslim to lead a good life.

WRITTEN TASK - ‘What I believe’

DISCUSSION - Compare how this piece of work may have been completed by a Muslim child of the same age. How may they have answered. What may the similarities and differences be?

Session 3 - How do Muslims prepare for Prayer? How do Muslims pray?

DISCUSSION - What special things do you treat with respect in your home or in your school? Think about items of great value, financial or sentimental; things that are fragile; things that are special to other people.

What am I holding? How it might be used and by whom. Why it is so special? Discuss rituals associated with using the Qur'an like keeping it covered on a high shelf.

How do we treat things we respect? Where do we keep them? How would we feel if they were soiled or damaged?

What is Wudu?

Explore how Muslims prepare for worship or reading the Qur’an by completing Wudu. Show a poster of Wudu explaining the steps and watch this clip. This is from My Life My Religion. Wudu. https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zvmrwty

Listen to the Adhan for around a minute ensuring you are showing respect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSpGndN3LoQ

What is Salat (Salah)?

What do you know about prayer? Start by sharing ideas with a partner then the table group. Highlight which ones they think may apply to a Muslim. Come back together and focus the discussion on the how, what, why and when.

Discuss some ideas on why Muslims pray. Arrange them as Post-its showing which reason they think would be most important to a Muslim.

Discuss the Qur’an’s teaching of how a Muslim must not be praying because they want to be seen as praying, it is not meant for showing off.

How do you think Muslims feel when they pray alone or together? Explain the term Salat / Salah.

My Life My Religion. Prayer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02q87r8

TASK - Model a quick fact file and ask the children to remember and recall three of the facts.

Look at a Muslim population world map and explore the concept of praying as a worldwide community (Ummah).  Investigate some Prayer Mats if you have some available in school treating them with respect including light weight designs. Muslims need a clean place to pray, it doesn’t need to be a prayer mat. How is prayer important in the day-to-day life of a Muslim?

DISCUSSION - Have you ever prayed? What did you do? What did you pray about? How did it make you feel? What happened?

Session 4 - How do Muslims show care for others?

Charity - Zakah /Zakat

Community - Ummah