* The Five Pillars of Islam are designed to constantly force the Muslim to think outside of themselves and recognize their position as a human being.
- Accepting one God as the lord of all puts many at ease. To recognize who is in control allows humans to relax and let someone else drive.
- Praying is aimed at keeping life in perspective and remembering that Allah is always in control. He is forever our sovereign.
- Praying also provides the sense of overwhelming brotherhood, for muslims all around the world are praying to the same place at the same time.
- Alms are implemented implicitly to relieve human suffering. 2.5% of a persons holdings should be delegated to the poor.
- Fasting outlines human's fragility and dependence on God as well as underscoring the true meaning of hunger, helping the Muslim to understand why giving alms is so important. If you know what it is to be hungry, you will be less apt to let your fellow man go hungry.
Social Teachings:
* Islam's social teachings are aimed primarily at creating an atmosphere of brotherly and sisterly love.
- Economic principles focus on keeping wealth balanced and/or constantly circulating through society.
- Muhammad greatly improved the status of women in society, although he wouldn't necessarily be considered a feminist by today's standards.
- He did not terminate polygamy, but limited it to only 4 wives and that the only way a man can have more than 1 is if he is capable of distributing love and attention in a completely fair and equal manner.
- Women received pretty much all the same marriage rights as men (right to divorce and whatnot).
- Islam is quite clear in declaring racial equality of all peoples.
- The Qur'an does not condemn nor condone violence completely. It allows violence in "self defense" (a term easily interpreted in many ways), but note that "God hates the aggressor" This demolishes most stereotyopes about Islam being spread by the sword.
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