Islam Practices

• Five Pillars of Sunni Islam


  • 1. Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
  • 2. Salah (Obligatory Prayer)
  • 3. Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan)
  • 4. Zakat (Obligatory Charity)
  • 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. Salah (Obligatory Prayer)
  • 2. Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan)
  • 3. Zakat (Obligatory Charity)
  • 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 and practices
• The Shahada is a belief for Shia Muslims, rather than a practice
• Salat (Obligatory Prayer)


  The significance and practice of the five daily prayers for Sunni Muslims, and the three daily prayers for Shia Muslims
• Salah


  • It provides structure and rhythm to daily life
  • It helps Muslims develop a relationship with God
  • It is a way of fulfilling one's duty to God
• Salah


  There are differences between Sunni and Shia practices, such as the number of daily prayers and the way they are performed
• Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan)


  The significance and practice of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, including the duties and benefits
• Sawm


  • It is a time of spiritual reflection and self-discipline
  • It helps Muslims develop empathy and compassion for the less fortunate
  • It is a way of fulfilling one's duty to God
• Zakat (Obligatory Charity)


  The significance and practice of giving a percentage of one's wealth to those in need
• Zakat


  It is a religious obligation for Muslims, distinct from voluntary charity (Sadaqah)
• Khums (Additional 20% Tax)


  The additional 20% tax that Shia Muslims are required to pay, distinct from Zakat
• Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)


  The significance and practice of the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, including the actions and rituals performed
• Hajj


  • It is a symbol of the unity of the global Muslim community
  • It is a way of fulfilling one's duty to God and seeking forgiveness
• Jihad


  The concept of the "greater jihad" (inner struggle against evil) and the "lesser jihad" (outward struggle to defend the faith)
• Jihad


  It is linked to the theme of peace and conflict, as the "lesser jihad" can be interpreted as holy war
• The final four obligatory acts of Shia Islam (encouraging good, discouraging evil, associating with good people, and disassociating from evil people) are not required to be covered in detail for this exam
• The shahada is the first pillar of Islam and the most important practice for Muslims
• 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, 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
• 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 and enables the other pillars
• The shahada contains the key essential Islamic belief of Tawheed (the oneness of God)


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


  It is the first Islamic practice
• The shahada is recited throughout the day and life of a Muslim


  It reaffirms its significance
• The other pillars of Islam are based on the shahada


  They are performed because of the belief in the shahada
• The shahada is not the only important pillar, all five pillars are equally important for living an Islamic life
• Other pillars like Salah and Zakat could be considered more important than the shahada
• Salah


  The five daily ritual prayers performed by Muslims
• Salah must be performed in Arabic and from memory using set prayers from the Quran, Sunnah and Hadith
• Wudu


  The ritual washing and cleansing of the body and mind before Salah
• Qibla


  The direction of the Kaaba in Mecca that Muslims face when praying
• Salah is performed 5 times a day by Sunni Muslims, or 3 times a day by Shia Muslims