In every religion, there are some basic tenets by which adherents live. In the Islamic faith there are the Five Pillars of Islam, which are considered the core of the religion. If you are Islamic, you are not only familiar with these principles, but shape your life around these five pillars. Though the names of each pillar may vary from sect to sect, the ideas are the same. The five pillars are as follows:
Shahada
Shahada is the pillar of faith. Specifically, the faith that there is only one god (Allah) and one profit (Muhammad). If this sounds familiar, it is because Islam is a monotheistic religion, thus their beliefs bare a great many similarities to other monotheistic groups. The Shahada is also a prayer that is spoken frequently and is considered extremely important to observant Muslims. By uttering this prayer, you affirm your belief that there is no god but Allah and he has one true messenger, Muhammad.
Salah
Salah is the pillar of prayer. If you are Muslims or know anyone who is, you are well aware of the importance of prayer in the Islamic religion. This is not to say that it is not equally important in any and all other religions, it is simply that the observance of prayer is much stricter. People of the Islamic faith are expected to pray five times per day at specific times. If you are living in a predominantly Islamic country or neighborhood, you will hear Mosques sound a call to prayer (for the uninitiated, imagine Revelry or Taps, but instead of a horn, it is a voice singing a prayer). However, Muslims may pray anywhere and are not absolutely required to pray in a Mosque five times per day.
Zakat
Zakat is the pillar of charity. It is expected that Muslims will participate in charitable giving or acts. In Islam, it is believed that by being charitable, one is attempting to achieve balance; Islam seeks to correct disparity within the community. Those who have great wealth are expected to contribute monetarily and in grander measure, while those with little or no money are expected to perform good deeds. Essentially, you are expected to do the best you can and while money is always helpful, spreading good will in your community has an equal if not larger impact.
Siyam
Siyam is the pillar of fasting. Though not an everyday occurrence, it is of vital importance during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and it falls at a slightly different time each year, because it is a lunar-based calendar. During the month of Ramadan, it is expected that every member of the Islamic faith who has gone through puberty (average age thirteen) will fast from sun up to sundown. However, as with many religions, there is special exemption for the elderly, infirm, or pregnant. There are other days of “voluntary fasting” in Islam, but these are only encouraged and not required.
Hajj
The fifth and final pillar is the Hajj. The hajj is a pilgrimage one must make to Mecca. Every year, during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, more than two million Muslims make the Hajj. It is strongly encouraged that each and every Muslim make the trip at least once in their lives. The pilgrims, as they are so called, walk a little over six miles, during which the men must wear ceremonial garb and the women are expected to be covered in modest attire that covers all but their face and hands (depending upon whom you ask). The Hajj to Mecca is considered vital, because Mecca is the birthplace of the Islamic religion; it is the birthplace of Muhammad and the place where he was visited by an angel who revealed to him the information that would later become the Quran (the Islamic religious text).
Now that you know the Five Pillars of Islam and hopefully have a better understanding of the religion (were your heretofore unfamiliar), this will make it infinitely easier for you to shop for the Muslim men and women in your life. While shopping should not be the main reason you seek to understand a given religion, it will certainly help if you are looking to purchase meaningful Islamic gifts for the observant. The following are possible suggestions for great gifts for observant Muslim men and women.
If you are unfamiliar with the exceptionally unique Nano Jewelry line, it is important to note that the key feature of the pieces is that they contain inscriptions and patterns etched into the stones. The remarkable etchings and inscriptions are so small, that each piece comes with a special, tiny magnifying glass that comes with the jewelry inside a beautiful gift box.
Ayat Al Kursi
One of the many stunning Arabic necklace options for women that features the Ayat Al Kursi prayer, is the Ayat Al Kursi necklace that is made of 925 sterling silver and features a Swarovski crystal. The Swarovski crystal comes in your choice of four colors: clear, light amethyst, blue topaz, or jet black. Choose the color that best suits her complexion, hair color, or general style. With the four great color options provided, there is no way you can lose. The chain is a 925 sterling silver Italian box chain, which is a standard size for women’s jewelry. The Ayat Al Kursi is one of the most well-known verses from the Quran. The prayer proclaims the greatness of Allah and reminds all who speak this prayer that everything in the universe is under his purview. This verse is said to grant either spiritual or physical protection, as you are acknowledging the might and power of Allah. As such, it is often said at the outset of a journey or before turning in for the night. This necklace featuring the Ayat Al Kursi pendant is a great way to say that you wish the wearer peace, healthy, and safety. It is also a great reminder to recipient to remain grateful to Allah.
If you like the idea of giving Arabic jewelry, you will love the following great design for women featuring the Ayat Al Kursi. This Arabic pendant is also made of 925 sterling silver and features a Swarovski crystal in a contemporary setting. Again, you have your choice of four crystal pendant colors: clear, light amethyst, blue topaz, or jet black. Because the setting and chain are sterling silver, it’s hard to go wrong with a pendant color, as they all go so well. The text on this Ayat Al Kursi necklace is inscribed in 24 karat gold and is suspended by an attractive Italian Rolo chain. This is a great gift for someone young or young at heart, but who would still appreciate the meaningful gift of Muslim jewelry.
If you are seeking a top-notch gift, the Ayat Al Kursi 14 karat white gold Islamic necklace with diamonds and Swarovski crystal is the end of your search. This Ayat Al Kursi necklace is heart-shaped and crafted from the finest 14 karat white gold. One side of the heart is encrusted with eight diamonds and the center stone is a Swarovski crystal. The Ayat Al Kursi is inscribed on the Swarovski crystal in 24 karat gold. The chain matches the pendant, but is a sterling silver rhodium-plated Italian Rolo chain. Stunning without being overly flashy, the pendant is classic and will suit any woman of good taste. This is the kind of gift that not only seeks to honor Allah, but also your relationship with the recipient. This striking necklace is a great gift for a major milestone or other special occasion. It is sure to be a long-treasured piece of Islamic jewelry that will stand the test of time.
If you are looking for a nice piece of Islamic jewelry for men, look no further than the Ayat Al Kursi 3 Microns gold-plated necklace with an onyx pendant. The rectangular onyx pendant is set in a pronged, gold-plated setting and inscribed in 24 karat gold. The chain is a gold-filled Italian Figaro chain. If the person for whom you are shopping is masculine and subtle, this would be a great choice. It’s not too flashy, but remains eye-catching and elegant. As stated above, the Ayat Al Kursi is a prayer of literal and figurative protection. When giving this piece of Islamic jewelry to an observant Muslim man, he will know that you are wishing him peace, health, and safety. The perfect gift before a big journey or any special occasion and a tasteful expression of your love and appreciation.
Muhammad
If you are looking for an Arabic pendant, but not one with an Islamic prayer, consider the Muhammad 3 Microns gold-plated necklace with zirconia stone. The chain is a gold-filled Italian Rolo chain and the gold-plated pendant holds a cubic zirconia stone. The stone comes in your choice of three colors (clear, blue topaz, or jet black) and has “Muhammad” inscribed in Arabic in 24 karat gold. This is a great gift for a woman who likes a lot of sparkle, but not too much flash. This necklace is tasteful, while not sacrificing shine. The cubic zirconia stone sparkles particularly well in the clear and blue options. If you are hoping for something more understated, try the jet black stone. This same style of necklace comes in both 14 karat gold and 14 karat white gold, for those who really want to splash out. Both options still come with a cubic zirconia stone with Muhammad’s name etched in 24 karat gold.
If you want to purchase a similar gift for a Muslim man, consider this Muhammad 925 sterling silver necklace with cubic zirconia stone. Both the pendant and chain are made of 925 sterling silver and are set with a dazzling cubic zirconia stone. As is the case with nearly all of the necklaces, the stone is inscribed in 24 karat gold. For this version, you can choose from three cubic zirconia colors: clear, blue topaz, or jet black. For most men, the clear and jet black would be the obvious choices, but if you are looking for a fun Arabic necklace for that unique man in your life, go for the blue topaz; it’s a fun color and a great expression of his shining personality.
Allah
If you would like to give an observant woman a great Muslim gift, consider the Allah 925 sterling silver necklace with Swarovski crystal pendant. The pendant is a simple, elegant solitaire frame hanging from a sterling silver Italian box chain. “Allah” is inscribed in Arabic in 24 karat gold on the crystal. The crystal itself comes in four color options: clear, light amethyst, blue topaz, and jet black. A perfect gift for the woman in your life who carries herself with an understated elegance. This same setting comes in 14 karat gold and 14 karat white gold.
If you are shopping for someone with more modern tastes, check out the Allah 14 karat white gold necklace with Swarovski crystal. The pendant is suspended from a sterling silver rhodium-plated Italian Rolo chain and is inscribed with Allah’s name in 24 karat gold. This necklace comes in four color options that allows you to suit the gift to your recipient’s taste. A great gift for a special niece, daughter, or your cool aunt.
Should you want to mark a special occasion, milestone anniversary or birthday, consider buying the Allah 14 karat white gold necklace with diamonds and Swarovski crystal. This heart-shaped pendant is encrusted with eight diamonds and a center Swarovski crystal. The crystal comes in four color options (clear, light amethyst, blue topaz, and jet black), but fear not about making a tough decision: Everything goes with diamonds! This is a truly impressive piece of Arabic jewelry and is certain to mean a lot to the recipient. Wearing Allah’s name so close to her heart will be a constant reminder to honor his greatness.
When picking out and purchasing Islamic gifts, particularly Islamic jewelry, it can be difficult to know which piece will be the right one. Knowing the basic tenets of the Muslim religion is a key factor to making an informed decision. Once one knows the foundation of Islam, one can understand what type of jewelry would be well-received and truly appreciated. The other half of the gift-giving battle is knowing the person to whom you are giving a gift. If you have a sense of their style, picking out the right item should be a breeze. Nano Jewelry seeks to offer a wide array of one-of-a-kind pieces that will inspire and awe any jewelry lover. Thanks to their unique method of nano-inscription, they found a way to stand out amongst the crowd.
Hopefully, this guide has proven useful in not only understanding the basics of Islam, but also in shopping for your Muslims friends and family members. Enjoy shopping around the Nano Jewelry site. Good luck, gift-givers!
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