The Five Pillars of Islam
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In Upholding the Five Pillars of Islam in a Hostile World, Diouf showcases the resilience of African Muslims in the Americas to their religion. She does so by recounting stories of enslaved Africans who managed to maintain their faith despite the harsh conditions they were living in and the relentless cultural assimilation. One by one, Diouf goes over each of the five pillars of Islam and showcases exactly how they were able to maintain their practices.
How did outward practices like prayer challenge enslaved Muslims in ways that the shahāda did not?
Compared to prayer, the shahada is a subtle exclamation of religion that can be done individually, without notice from anyone around. Despite being forced into Christianity, slaves could stay Muslim by simply uttering the shahada in secret anytime they wanted. On the other hand, prayer is more complex since it requires the individual to physically perform movements and recite verses from the Quran. Additionally, it may also involve a prayer mat. These things are much more noticeable and, therefore harder to keep secret from slave owners. Moreover, given their limited time away from work, African Muslims did not have time to perform the five prayers that were required each day. They were said to pray either at night or whenever they had the chance, given their circumstances (Diouf, 90). However, some Muslims were willing to take risks in praying all five prayers, and sometimes in big groups (Diouf, 89). This points to the level of devotion to their faith.
Why would zakāt and sadaqa, with their economic functions and requirements, be important to enslaved Muslims?
Simply to preserve their spiritual identity. Continuing to give out zakat and sadaqa showcases a sense of attachment to the religion as well as solidarity with each other. Indeed, Diouf introduces stories of Muslim slaves giving out sadaqa to their community and families. This might have brought a sense of belonging and attachment to their roots. Instances of children being happy to receive sweet rice were mentioned in Diouf’s text, which might help reinforce these traditions, and bring fleeting joy to their hard lives (Diouf, 94).
The Ramadan fast is a particularly demanding Muslim practice. Why would already undernourished enslave Muslims undergo it?
Despite being undernourished and working in harsh conditions, some African Muslims fasted during the month of Ramadan. They might have fast to maintain a connection to tradition and their spiritual identity. “Omar ibn Said was described as a “staunch Mohammedan, and the first year at least kept the fast of Rhamadan with all great strictness.”” (Diouf, 95). Additionally, Diouf mentions that they might have undergone fasting because they knew that the situation they were in was not temporary. The Quran allows Muslims to abstain from fasting if they are “far from home or (…) involved in strenuous work” (Diouf, 95), therefore, by fasting, they knew that they were not going to get out of these circumstances.
The hajj was impossible for enslaved Muslims to perform. How did the shout fulfill their needs?
The “shout” is characterized by both men and women “turn(ing) in a circle while clapping their hands and shuffling their feet” (Diouf, 96) was thought to be an African dance, however, a different explanation emerged hypothesizing that it might have been Muslims finding their way to recreate Hajj. The fifth pillar, pilgrimage, can only be done in Mecca, which was impossible for enslaved Muslims. Through the “shout”, deriving from the word sha’wt (meaning a lap around the Kaaba), African Muslims were able to connect with their faith. Physical movements such as the ones described could have also been a way for them to release their emotions as a community and let out any frustration, anger or perhaps hope they might have had.
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Adding onto the question about Zakat and Sadaqa, I think they held significant importance Muslims in hiding or enslaved because they were easier to accomplish than other pillars. Charity giving, although not as emphasized also holds significant importance in Christianity. In addition both can be understood as forms of nonviolent resistance. As you mentioned they can be understood as a sign of solidarity and this makes me think of the dance capoeira that Brazilians practiced. This was a form of non-violent resistance because they passed of something cultural such a dance, when it was actually a martial art and they were training for a revolution. Obviously Zakat holds a very different meaning, but Muslims were still helping their community grow so their actions can be seen as a force of psychological resilience instead of physical. Also, Diouf speaks about this allowed Muslims to assert their autonomy economically.