In "The Religions of the World" by Houstin Smith, the five pillars of Islam include the process that Muslims practice in order to defend the house of Islam, as well as prohibited practices such as gambling, stealing, drinking alcohol, eating pork, lying and premarital sex. Basically, the five pillars state the principles that Muslims should follow in their daily lives. The Five Pillars are a defined method for Muslims to live faithfully in devotion and promise to Allah by providing five basic requirements that all Muslims must follow. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get Original Essay The first pillar of Islam is known as the creed or confession of Islam called Shahada. Shahada is known as the creed that summarizes the beliefs of the Islamic faith. Muslims recite the Shahada during times of hell and turmoil, in order to practice their faith in Allah and to remember that He is the answer to all their questions. “There is no god but God, and Mohammed is his prophet.” The second pillar of Islam tells Muslims that they must pray five times a day. This prayer is known as canonical prayer and must be constant. Muslims must be warned to be consistent in their prayer in hopes of keeping their own lives in perspective. This is because they should give thanks to Allah and remember that Allah is their creator and they should submit a prayer to Him to show their appreciation. There are five stipulated times of prayer: upon waking, when the sun reaches zenith, at mid-set, at sunset, and before going to bed. Their prayers consist of gratitude and supplication. The third pillar of Islam is that they should show hospitality to the less fortunate or anyone in need. Middle and upper class Muslims are required to give part of their income to poor and lower class citizens. This process helps Muslims create a sense of brotherhood among themselves because it connects all people rather than creating social clichés. The fourth pillar of Islam is the month of fasting, also known as the observance of Ramadan. During this month, healthy Muslim citizens must fast from dusk to dawn for the entire month. This pillar is extremely important to people because it helps them remember their dependence and commitment to Allah. This helps people connect with those less fortunate and understand the feeling of starvation. It also helps people to be more willing to help the poor, because they experience this feeling at any time of the year. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The fifth pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage to Mecca. At some point in the life of a physically and economically fit Muslim, he must travel to Mecca, where the climactic revelation of God was born, to attempt to deepen his understanding of the faith and his devotion to Allah. This pilgrimage reminds Muslims of the global community of other Muslims who have dedicated their lives to God.