The 10 Obligatory acts of Shi'a Islam

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Created by
Katy Dring

Cards (10)

    1. Salah (prayer)
    There are 5 daily prayers, where Muslims face the Ka'ba in Makkah, but many Shi'as combine it into three. These times are:
    • Between dawn and sunrise
    • Just after noon
    • At dusk, after sunset
  • 2. Sawm (fasting)
    Like Sunnis, Shi'as practice fasting during the month of Ramadan but for the 20th day of Ramadan they remember the death of Ali by spending 3 days in mourning.
  • 3. Hajj (pilgrimage)
    Like Sunnis, Shi'as go on the annual pilgrimage to Makkah in the 12th month of the Muslim calendar. In addition to Hajj, they also make pilgrimages to Shi'a shrines and graves, in particular visiting the grave of Husayn in Karbala.
  • 4. Zakah (Charity)
    Like Sunnis, Shi'as make a charity payment of 2.5% of their wealth every year. This goes to support the poor and those in need.
  • 5. Khums (wealth tax)
    In addition to Zakah. Shi'as are expected to pay Khums, a wealth tax of 20% of their savings. This money is paid to Muslim scholars and community leaders for the welfare of the community.
  • 6. Jihad (struggle)
    Jihad is the duty to struggle against sin. For the sake of God, Muslims should fight against injustice, removing any obstacles that might prevent people being able to worship god
  • 7. Amr-bil-Maroof (Encouraging others to do good)
    The central purpose of Islam is to create a society where people can live in peace and harmony. Therefore, it is the duty of all Muslims to encourage others to do good, for the sake of God. In the Hadith, Muhammad promises that the person who persuades someone to do a good deed will get the same reward as the person he persuaded.
  • 8. Nahil Ahril Munkar (Discouraging the bad)
    It is the responsibility of the whole Ummah to discourage others from harmful actions, such as bribery, corruption and dishonesty. This applies to individuals, families and the whole society.
  • 9. Tawalia (To love friends of God)
    Muslims should love all those who are friends of God: people who are truthful, kind, honest and fair. For Shi'a infallible Imams who are descendants of the prophet Muhammad.
  • 10. Tabarra (To hate evil doers)
    Muslims should hate, and separate themselves from the enemies of God and those who are impure and chose who oppress others. However, Muslims often disagree who the enemies of God are.