Islamic Practices

• Sunni Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam
• Shi'a Muslims follow the Ten Obligatory Acts
• What are the Five Pillars of Islam?


  • Shahadah (Declaration of faith)
  • Salah (Prayer)
  • Zakat (Charity)
  • Sawn (Fasting)
  • Hajj (Pilgrimage)
• What are the Ten Obligatory Acts?


  • Salah (Prayer)
  • Sawn (Fasting)
  • Hajj (Pilgrimage)
  • Zakah (Charity)
  • Khums (20% tax for religious causes)
  • Jihad (Struggle)
  • Amrbil Maruf (Encouraging people to do what is good)
  • Nahi Anil Munkar (Discouraging people from doing what is wrong)
  • Tawallah (Loving and associating with people who share the love of Allah)
  • Tabarra (Disassociating with people who try to draw you away from Islam)
• Shahadah links to Tawhid (the belief in the oneness of Allah)
• What is the Shahadah?


  "I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and He has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammed is His servant and His final messenger"
• The Shi'a extension of the Shahadah is "Ali (Muhammed's cousin) is a friend of Allah"

  This demonstrates the Shi'a belief that Ali is the true successor of Muhammed
• Shirk is associating partners with Allah. It is described as the one "unforgivable" sin in Islam
• When is the Shahadah recited?

  • As part of the Adhan (call to prayer)
  • Into the ears of a newborn baby to initiate them into Islam
  • In front of Muslim witnesses to join the Muslim community
  • If possible as the final words of a Muslim before death (reward is heaven)
  • It is recited many times in a Muslim's life
• Why is the Shahadah important to Muslims?

  • Described to be the first step to becoming a Muslim
  • Seen as the foundation for the other four pillars of Islam
  • Provides Muslims with guidance
  • Gives Muslims a structure in life
  • Contains two basic beliefs in Islam (Tawhid & Risalah)
  • Allows Muslims to establish a relationship with Allah
• Why do Muslims pray?

  • It is both one of the Five Pillars of Islam & the Ten Obligatory Acts
  • To seek repentance
  • To show gratitude
  • It keeps them grounded
  • It is commanded by Allah
  • Unites Muslims worldwide
  • Reminds them of the importance of Allah and the Qu'ran
• The order to pray 5x a day was given to Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) by Allah
• Sunni Muslims pray at 5 set times during the day
• Shi'a Muslims combine prayers, so they only pray 3 times a day
• What are the 5 prayer times?

  • Fajr - Dawn
  • Zuhr - Midday
  • Asr - Afternoon
  • Mahhrib - Sunset
  • Isha - Night
• Dua's are a private conversation with Allah.
• When praying Sunni Muslims fold their arms, whereas Shi'a Muslims keep them straight.
• Angels surround Muslims as they pray.
• Jummah is the Friday prayer, which is compulsory for men.
• Sawm:

  • Fasting during the month of Ramadan
  • 29-30 days
  • A month of charity
  • A time of reflection
  • The devil is chained up
  • The gates of heaven are open
• Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset.
• Who doesn't need to fast?

  • The elderly
  • Pregnant women
  • People with health problems
  • People who are ill
  • Women who are menstrating
  • Women who are breastfeeding
  • Children
  • Those who cannot fast can make up their fast later
• Why is Sawm important?

  • Teaches Muslims to appreciate everything
  • Teaches Muslims self-control & discipline
  • Teaches Muslims how the poor & needy suffer
  • Purifies and cleanses the soul
  • Allows Muslims to focus on Allah
  • It is an obligatory duty according to the Qu'ran
• Zakat:

  • Giving alms (donating to the poor)
  • A part of the Five Pillars
  • Muslims pay 2.5% of their wealth to the needy
  • Many give it at the end of Ramadan
  • Wealth should remember Allah and therefore, help those in need
  • Means to purify of cleanse
  • An instruction in the Qu'ran
  • The Qu'ran doesn't specify the amount but the percentage was worked out by Muslim scholars
• Importance of Zakat:

  • Teaches Muslims self-discipline and honesty
  • Frees people from desires
  • Helps purify the soul by removing selfishness and greed
  • Teaches Muslims to share their wealth
  • Strengthens the community as the rich is supporting the poor
  • You will be judged by Allah on the DOJ
  • Duty imposed by Allah
  • Sign of a true Muslim
  • Shows a good attitude towards money
  • Links to prayer - Feeling concern for others and putting that into action
  • Shows submission to Allah
  • Tackles poverty
• Khums:

  • A obligatory act in Shi'a Islam
  • An additional 20% of wealth is paid for religious causes and the poor
  • The Qu'ran tells Muslims to pay a fifth of their wealth to the poor and relatives of Muhammed
  • Paid to support the descendants of Muhammed
• Hajj:

  • A pilgrimage to Mecca
  • Muslims should make it once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially stable
  • Some help others with financial support
  • In the last month of the Islamic calendar
• History of Hajj:

  • Prophet Ibrahim was asked to take his wife Hajira and his son Ismael to Arabia
  • He later told him to leave them with food and water
  • They soon ran out of supplies and started to suffer from hunger and dehydration
  • Hajira ran between two hills (Marwah and Safa) seven times befor praying to Allah for help
  • Ismael struck a stick in the ground and a spring appeared (Zamzam)
  • Allah instructed Ibrahim and Ismael to rebuild the Ka'bah
• Incarnation means becoming flesh (taking human form)
• Jesus:

  • The Messiah
  • Christ (the anointed one)
  • Fully human and fully God (explaination for his powers)
  • Jesus is the 'Word of God', meaning his teachings have authority
  • He enables humans to repair their relationship with God
  • God loves us so much he sacrificed his only son for our salvation
• Direction of Prayer:

  • Must face the holy city of Mecca
  • This means they are mentally and physically focusing on a place associated with Allah
  • Mosques have a Mihrab on the Qiblah wall, showing the direction Muslims should face when praying
  • Some Muslims have a special compass to show what direction Mecca is
• Preparation for Prayer:

  • Muslims must be spiritually clean
  • This is achieved through wudu (abulation)
  • This is instructed in the Qu'ran
  • Mosques have special rooms - one for men and one for women
  • Washing is done under running water
  • Symbolises spirtual cleanliness rather than physical cleanliness
  • Allows Muslims to focus fully on Allah whilst praying
• Ra'kah (Movements + Recitations)

  • Standing - Recite the first chapter of the Qu'ran
  • Bowing - Say "Glory be to my Lord who is the very greatest" three times, bowing to showcase they believe God is great
  • Upright - Recitation praising Allah
  • Kneeling - Forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes touch the floor, showcasing their obidence. Recite "How perfect is my Lord the most High"
• Ra'kah (Movements + Recitations)

  • Sitting - Recite "God is the greatest" and pause
  • Prostrating - Repeat "God is the greatest"
  • Kneeling - Turn their face to the right and left, reciting "Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God"
  • Personal Prayers - Do not have to be in Arabic or follow any set form
• Prayer at Home:

  • Acceptable to pray at home
  • Must perform wudu beforehand
  • Room must be suitable and clean
  • Many Muslims use prayer mats and position it facing Mecca
  • Women find it helpful to pray at home if they have children to look after
• Prayer in the Mosque:

  • Mosques have special carpets that look like rows of prayer mats, facing the mihrab
  • Prayers are led by an Imam who is at the front of the congregation but also facing the mihrab
  • Men and women are separated by curtains or rooms
  • The Imam's voice is broadcasted into both rooms
• Jummah Prayer:

  • Special midday Friday prayer
  • All male Muslims are expected to attend
  • Women can attend if they want
  • Imam delivers a sermon to remind Muslim's of their obligations and duties to God
  • Muslims must leave work and close businesses to attend
• Ramadan:

  • The most important month of the Islamic calendar
  • During this time, the Qu'ran was revealed to Muhammed
  • Many will recite the whole Qu'ran over the 30 days of Ramadan
  • Muslims focus on fasting, charity and pleasing God
• Fasting:

  • Muslims fast during the daylight hours
  • Some Muslims get up before sunrise to eat for the day
  • Fast is broken at sunset
  • The evening meal is shared with family and friends, followed by extra prayers and readings from the Qu'ran
  • Smoking and having sex is prohibited
• Muslims in the UK may think that there is more temptation to break their fasts around them.

  E.g. Needing a drink in P.E