Ai Islam practises

• The Five Pillars

  • Shahada
  • Salah
  • Zakah
  • Sawm
  • Hajj
• Shahada

  The basic belief and declaration of faith in Islam
• Salah (daily prayers)

  1. Wudu (ritual washing)

  2. Facing the direction of Mecca

  3. Reciting verses from the Quran

  4. Bowing and prostrating
• Sawm

  Fasting during the month of Ramadan
• The Quran was revealed to Muslims during the month of Ramadan
• The Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) is considered the most important night during Ramadan when the Quran was revealed
• During Ramadan

  Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from dawn to dusk
• There are exceptions to fasting during Ramadan for certain groups such as the elderly, pregnant/nursing women, and travellers
• At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid al-Fitr
• Mosques have special carpets and spaces for Muslims to perform their prayers
• Prayers are led by an imam who stands in front of the congregation
• Muslims can also pray at home, as long as they face the direction of Mecca
• Rak'ah

  A unit of the daily prayers consisting of specific movements and recitations
• The number of rak'ahs varies depending on the prayer
• Prayer is important for Muslims as it helps them connect with God, remember His greatness, and submit to His will
• The third part of Islam is Zakah. This means giving alms/charity to the poor.
• Zakah

  Giving 2.5% of one's savings every year to help the poor
• By giving Zakah, Muslims are acknowledging that everything they have comes from God and belongs to him, and that they should use their wealth to remember God and give to those in need.
• Zakah helps to purify the soul, removing selfishness and greed.
• The origins of Zakah

  1. Response to an instruction in the Quran

  2. Percentage of 2.5% worked out later by Muslim scholars
• Who gives Zakah and who receives it

  • Muslims with savings greater than a certain figure (nisab) are required to give Zakah
  • Zakah can be donated directly to charity or put into a collection box in the mosque to be distributed among the poor
• The Quran makes it clear who should receive Zakah.
• In addition to Zakah, Muslims may also give voluntary payments called Sadaqah at any time of the year.
• Significance of Zakah

  • It is a duty imposed by God
  • It gives Muslims a good attitude towards money, learning to share it and not be greedy
  • It strengthens communities by making the rich support the poor
  • It links well with Salah (prayer), putting concern for others into practice
• Khums

  An additional 20% payment on income or earnings that Shia Muslims make, half of which goes to Shia religious leaders and the other half to charity or the poor
• Id-ul-Fitr marks the end of the month of Ramadan, when Muslims give thanks to God for the guidance and help provided during that month.
• How Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated

  • Muslims gather together to say special prayers
  • They forgive and give charity that have occurred during the year
  • Everyone wears their best clothes and there are special foods, processions, and an atmosphere of joy
• Id-ul-Adha (also known as Eid-al-Adha) is the festival of sacrifice, celebrated on the 10th day of the 12th month and lasting for four days.
• How Id-ul-Adha is celebrated

  • Women decorate their hands with henna
  • Muslims sacrifice an animal, keeping a third for themselves, giving a third to relatives and neighbours, and the remaining third to the poor
  • Cards and presents are given, and community gatherings are organised