Islam: Practices

• The 5 pillars of faith

  • Shahadah - the declaration of faith
  • Salah - prayer
  • Zakah - charitable giving
  • Sawm - fasting
  • Hajj - pilgrimage
• The importance of the 5 pillars

  • Shahadah - 'There is no God but Allah and Muhammad id the prophethood of Allah.' Declaring their faith.
  • Salah - 'your Lord says "call on me and I will answer you".' Remembering God.
  • Zakah - 'God is well aware of the good you do.' Giving 2.5% of savings to charity once a year.
  • Sawm - 'It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur'an was revealed... so any one of you who is present that month should fast.' - To show dedication.
  • Hajj - 'Pilgrimage to the house is a duty owed to God by people who are able to undertake it.'
• The 10 obligatory acts - Shi'a

  • Salah - prayer
  • Sawm - fasting
  • Zakah - giving to charity
  • Khums - 20% tax
  • Hajj - pilgrimage
  • Jihad - the struggle to maintain the faith and defend Islam
  • Amr-bil-Maruf - encouraging people to do what is good
  • Nahi Anil Munkar - discouraging people from doing wrong
  • Tawallah - showing love for God and people who follow him
  • Tabarra - not associating with enemies of God
• The times for prayer

  • Fajr - just before sunrise
  • Zuhr - just after midday
  • Asr - afternoon
  • Maghrib - just after sunset
  • Isha - night
• Preparing for prayer

  • What should Muslims do - Preform ritual washing (wudu) before they pray, to make themselves spiritually clean.
  • How is this achieved - Muslims wash their faces, hands and feet under running water. Mosques have two special rooms set aside for this, one for women and one for men. If water isn't available, Muslims can 'wash' themselves using sand or dust instead.
  • Why is it important - The purification of wudu helps Muslims to fully focus on God in their prayers.
• The direction of prayer

  • What should Muslims do - Face the city of Mecca
  • How is this achieved - In a mosque, the mihrab indicates the direction of Mecca. This is a small niche in the qiblah wall, which is the wall that faces Mecca. Muslims use this to face the right direction when they pray. Muslims can also use a special compass to indicate the right direction.
  • Why is it important - Praying in the same direction means that all Muslims are focussing on one place associated with God.
• Prayer inside a mosque

  • Many mosques have a carpet that look like rows of prayer mats, giving each person their own space to pray.
  • Prayers in the mosque are led by an imam, who is positioned at the front of the room, facing the mihrab.
  • Men and women pray at the same time, but in separate spaces.
• Why prayer is important

  • The actions of bowing and prostrating remind Muslims that God is greater than them
  • It unites Muslims all around the world as they all pray in the same way.
  • It motivates Muslims to do God's will.
  • It helps Muslims become closer to God.
  • Muslims have been commanded by God to pray.
• Fasting during Ramadan

  • Origins of fasting - The command was given to Muhammad.
  • What it involves - Muslims get up everyday before sunrise to drink and eat enough to keep them going until sunset. Food, drink, smoking and sex are forbidden during daylight hours. The fast is broken at sunset.
  • The exceptions - Children and people who are ill, pregnant or breastfeeding can be excluded from fasting. People who can't fast are expected to make it up later if they can.
  • The importance - The self-discipline that is required to fast shows obedience and dedication to God.
• Zakah

  • Origins of Zakah - Giving to charity is mentioned a number of times in the Qur'an.
  • How mush is given - Only Muslims with savings greater than a certain amount are required to give Zakah. They are expected to give 2.5% of their savings.
  • Who is it given to - Zakah can be donated directly to a charity. It can also be collected by a mosque, which will distribute the money among those in need.
  • The importance of Zakah - By giving Zakah, Muslims are fulfilling a duty to God. It helps to strengthen the Muslim community by supporting the poorest and weakest.
• The importance of Hajj

  • ' Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God by people who are able to undertake it.'
  • Produces inner peace.
  • Brings a person closer to God.
  • Leads to a person's sins being forgiven.
  • Fulfils a religious obligation.
  • Emphasises equality and unity.
  • Shows self-discipline and dedication to God.
  • Reminds Muslims of the good examples set by the prophets.
• What happens on Hajj

  • Entering a state of ihram.
  • Circling the Ka'aba.
  • walking between the two hills.
  • Standing at Arafat.
  • Throwing pebbles at Mina.
  • Sacrificing an animal.
• Greater Jihad involves

  • ' This is My path, leading straight, so follow it, and do not follow other ways.'
  • The inward and personal struggle to live accordingly to the teachings of Islam.
  • Observing the Five pillars of Islam.
  • Studying the Qur'an.
  • Putting God above everything else.
  • Avoiding temptations such as drugs and alcohol.
  • Avoiding negative traits such as greed and jealousy.
  • Helping and caring for those in need.
• Lesser Jihad

  The outward struggle to defend Islam from threats.

  Fighting for religious reasons is sometimes called a Holy war. This refers to a war that must be:

  • Approved by a fair religious leader.
  • Fought in self-defence in response to threat.
  • Not used to gain territory or wealth.
  • Not used to convert people into Islam.
  • Fought only after all peaceful methods to resolve the situation have been tried first.
• Id-ul-Fitr

  • Origins - the festival was started by Muhammad after he fled from persecution in Mecca.
  • Celebrations - Muslims gather together in mosques or large outdoor areas to say special prayers. Muslims decorate their homes, wear new clothes, eat special foods, exchange cards and presents.
  • Importance - The festival allows Muslims to celebrate the end of a month of fasting. It is a way for Muslims to thank God for giving them the strength to complete the fast.
• Id-ul-Adha

  • Origins - Celebrates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son to God, marks the end of Hajj. Started by Muhammad.
  • Celebrations - Special prayers are held in the Mosque. Muslims visit family and friends, and enjoy meals together. Muslims who are able to will slaughter an animal.
  • Importance - Celebrates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son to God, marks the end of Hajj. This allows Muslims around the world to connect with those on Hajj, even if they can't be there themselves.