Islam: Practices
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The Five Pillars
The Five Pillars are the foundation of Muslim life. They are compulsory acts of worship that demonstrate submission to Allah.
Every Muslim is expected to follow the Five Pillars — they structure daily, yearly, and lifetime worship.
The Five Pillars — Key Knowledge
- Shahadah declaration of faith: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah"
- Salah five daily prayers
- Zakah giving 2.5% of annual savings to those in need
- Sawm fasting during Ramadan
- Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah at least once if able
Ten Obligatory Acts
Shi'a Muslims follow the Ten Obligatory Acts, which include the Five Pillars plus additional obligations.
The Ten Obligatory Acts reflect the Shi'a emphasis on social justice and active faith — not just belief but action.
Ten Obligatory Acts — Key Knowledge
- Khums 20% tax on surplus income
- Jihad striving in the way of Allah
- Amr bil Maruf enjoining good
- Nahi anil Munkar forbidding evil
Salah — Prayer
Muslims pray five times daily facing Makkah. Before prayer, they perform Wudu (ritual washing). Friday congregational prayer (Jummah) at the mosque includes a sermon.
Salah structures the Muslim day — five set times keep the believer connected to Allah throughout daily life.
Salah — Prayer — Key Knowledge
- Salah prayer
- Wudu ritual washing — hands, face, arms, feet
- Qiblah direction of Makkah
- Rak'ahs set sequences of prayer movements — standing, bowing, prostrating
- Jummah Friday congregational prayer
Sawm — Fasting
Muslims fast from dawn (Suhoor) to sunset (Iftar) during Ramadan — no food, drink, smoking, or sexual relations. Ramadan is the month the Qur'an was first revealed.
Fasting builds self-discipline, empathy with the poor, and spiritual focus. Exemptions apply for children, the elderly, pregnant women, travellers, and the ill.
Sawm — Fasting — Key Knowledge
- Sawm fasting
- Ramadan holy month of fasting
- Suhoor pre-dawn meal
- Iftar meal at sunset to break the fast
- Laylat al-Qadr Night of Power — the night the Qur'an was first revealed; "better than a thousand months"
Zakah and Khums
Zakah is 2.5% of annual savings given to those in need — a compulsory Pillar, not optional charity. Khums (Shi'a) is 20% of surplus income, divided between descendants of Muhammad and the poor.
Zakah is a duty, not generosity. It ensures wealth circulates and the poorest are supported.
Zakah and Khums — Key Knowledge
- Zakah 2.5% of savings — purifies wealth
- Khums Shi'a: 20% of surplus income
Hajj — Pilgrimage
Annual pilgrimage to Makkah during Dhul Hijjah. Required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able. Hajj follows the example of Ibrahim.
Hajj demonstrates unity of the Ummah, brings forgiveness of sins, and follows Ibrahim's example of total submission.
Hajj — Pilgrimage — Key Knowledge
- Hajj pilgrimage
- Ihram white garments symbolising equality before God
- Tawaf circling the Ka'bah seven times
- Sa'y walking between Safa and Marwah — remembering Hagar's search for water
- Arafat standing on the plain of Arafat — the most important part of Hajj
- Mina stoning the Jamarat — three pillars representing the devil
Jihad
Greater jihad is the personal, spiritual struggle to live as a good Muslim — the more important form. Lesser jihad is armed struggle to defend Islam, with strict conditions.
Most Muslims consider greater jihad more important. Lesser jihad has strict rules — it is not terrorism or aggression.
Jihad — Key Knowledge
- Greater jihad internal spiritual struggle — resisting temptation, studying the Qur'an, being kind
- Lesser jihad armed struggle to defend Islam
Festivals
The main Islamic festivals mark key moments in the religious calendar. Eid ul-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan. Eid ul-Adha falls during Hajj and commemorates Ibrahim's sacrifice.
Festivals reinforce community (Ummah) and connect Muslims to key events in Islamic history.
Festivals — Key Knowledge
- Eid ul-Fitr end of Ramadan — communal prayers, charity, feasting
- Eid ul-Adha during Hajj — commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son; animal sacrifice, meat shared with the poor
- Ashura 10th of Muharram — Sunni: fast for Musa's deliverance; Shi'a: mourning for Husayn's martyrdom at Karbala
Bonus — Once You've Nailed the Core Facts
Bonus — Once You've Nailed the Core Facts — Key Knowledge
Context Notes
Context Notes — Key Knowledge