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The successful completion of any journey requires a plan, a vehicle and the competency to achieve it. A transcontinental flight requires weeks of planning, submission of flight plans, compliance checks on international regulations, etc whereas a trip down to the corner store relies on a plan embedded in the subconscious. The principle, however, does not change.

Muslims believe that it is to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return. They also believe that life is a journey and indeed our sojourn in this world is temporal. The very purpose of our existence is to serve the Almighty through our striving for self development and for families, neighbours, fellowmen, environment and humanity at large.

The means for a safe and memorable journey is the absolute acceptance and adherence to the Five Pillars shown below:-

1. Faith - to bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final Messenger of Allah.
2. Prayer - the first obligatory act of worship ordained for Believers. It is an integral part of life performed formally five times a day (see below for free book/giveaway on the Muslim prayer.)
3. Fasting - compulsory during the blessed month of Ramadaan where one abstains from food, drink and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset.
4. Zakaat (poor dues) - the obligatory contribution by of 2.5% of one´s prescribed wealth to the poor as an act of worship.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage) - if one has the financial and physical means; it becomes compulsory to perform this at least once in a lifetime. This entails travelling to Makkah at a specific time to undertake specified acts of worship.

The next highest duty after the above obligations is the earning and consuming of Halaal. It has been taught from Prophetic Traditions that one’s prayer will not be accepted if Haraam is consumed. Awareness of the above and the concomitant link between the daily prayer and consumption of Halaal gives one an insight into the psyche of the Muslim and makes for better understanding and tolerance of the Muslim as your neighbour, friend, servant, employer, supplier or customer.

Furthermore, just as one does course corrections, “recalculating” in GPS jargon, to remain focused on the journey, so too is the function of the daily prayer and Halaal in the life of a Muslim.

These “conscious interruptions” for prayer and consuming of Halaal food is but a stark and ongoing reminder of the main purpose of the journey and the ultimate return.

To help with the journey of life, SANHA is proud to announce the expansion of its website to include Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of its offices, Halaal restaurants and prayer facilities in the country. Click here to view: Halaal Restaurants | Prayer Facilities

HIGHWAY HALAAL – THE STRAIGHT PATH

Free booklet on the Muslim prayer sponsored by the IPCI can be downloaded from our website. Click here - For a print copy, forward your postal address to pro-kzn@sanha.org.za

If your prayer facility has been omitted, please forward details to pro-kzn@sanha.org.za to update our site.