Islam- practices

• Five Pillars of Sunni Islam

  • 1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith)
  • 2. Salat (Obligatory Prayer)
  • 3. Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan)
  • 4. Zakat (Giving Alms)
  • 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
• Purpose of the Five Pillars


  • They form the foundation of Muslim life
  • They provide a framework for Muslims
  • They give structure to daily life
  • They show Sunni Muslims putting their faith into action
• Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam

  • 1. Salat (Obligatory Prayer)
  • 2. Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan)
  • 3. Zakat (Giving Alms)
  • 4. Khums (Additional 20% Tax)
  • 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
  • 6. Jihad (Struggle against Evil)
  • 7. Amr bil Ma'ruf (Encouraging Good Actions)
  • 8. Nahi 'anil Munkar (Discouraging Evil Actions)
  • 9. Tawalla (Association with Good People)
  • 10. Tabarra (Disassociation from Evil People)
• Shahada (Declaration of Faith)


  There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger
• For Shia Muslims, the Shahada also includes the belief that Ali is the friend of God
• Shahada


  • It is the simple yet profound statement expressing a Muslim's complete acceptance of and commitment to Islam
  • It reminds Muslims of the core belief in the Oneness of God (Tawheed)
• Shahada


  It is the first and most important pillar, as it lays the foundation for the other pillars
• The Shahada is a belief for Shia Muslims, rather than a practice
• The Shahada is derived from the Quran, which is the infallible revealed word of God
• Performing the Five Pillars

  It helps Muslims achieve the reward of life after death in Paradise
• The Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam also guide Shia Muslims in how to live their everyday lives
• The Ten Obligatory Acts


  They unite Shia Muslims and give meaning to their life
• The Ten Obligatory Acts help Shia Muslims focus their everyday lives towards God and being a good Muslim
• The shahada is the first pillar of Islam and the first words a newborn baby hears
• Shahada


  The simple yet profound statement expressing a Muslim's complete acceptance of and commitment to Islam
• The shahada is whispered into the ear of newborn babies, it is the first words they hear
• The shahada is recited during the call to prayer and Salah
• The shahada is repeated when someone wishes to convert to Islam with a witness present
• The shahada is said before death to demonstrate a commitment to the religion of Islam
• The shahada is a reminder for Muslims to bear witness to the truth of Islam by sharing it with others
• The shahada is the first pillar of Islam


  It lays the foundation for living an Islamic life
• The shahada contains the key essential Islamic belief of Tawheed


  It sums up the Islamic faith
• The shahada is the first words a Muslim hears


  It underpins and encourages the other pillars of Islam
• The shahada is spoken throughout the day and life of a Muslim


  It reaffirms its significance
• The shahada is the declaration of faith that is essential to be a Muslim and practice the other pillars
• The shahada is the first pillar for a reason, without it the other pillars are not possible
• Some argue all the pillars are equally important, they are called the Five Pillars for a reason
• Others argue pillars like Salah or Zakat are more important as they involve more practical duties
• However, the reason for doing Salah or Zakat is based on the shahada, so it is foundational
• Salah is the second pillar of Islam
• Salah


  The ritual prayer performed five times a day by Sunni Muslims, or three times a day by Shia Muslims
• Salah must be performed in Arabic and from memory using set prayers from the Quran, Sunnah and Hadith
• Performing Salah


  1. Wudu (ritual washing and cleansing)

  2. Establishing Niyyah (right intention)

  3. Facing the direction of Mecca (Qibla)

  4. Reciting verses from the Quran

  5. Performing Raka'at (sequences of movements and recitations)
• Salah begins with the Takbir, saying "Allahu Akbar" (God is the greatest)
• Raka'at


  The sequences of movements and recitations performed during Salah
• Sunni Muslims perform 17 Raka'at per day, Shia Muslims may combine some to perform 17 Raka'at in 3 prayer times
• Sujud (prostration) during Salah shows total submission to God
• Friday congregational prayer (Jumu'ah) is considered more important than individual prayer
• Hadith states prayer in congregation is 27 times better than individual prayer
• Salah


  Formal prayer, 5 times a day (or sometimes 3 times a day for some Shia Muslims)