The religious obligations of all Muslims are summed up in the Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam

• • • • • Shahadah – giving yourself to God Salat – praying to Allah Zakat – giving alms Ramadan – fasting for 40 days Hajj – pilgrimage to Makkah or Mecca

Shahadah

The individual devotes their life to Allah and will strive to serve him and honour him as the only God – there is no God but Allah to a Muslim.

Salat.

• Salat is the practise of prayer. Prayer should be offered five times a day to Allah and personal prayer can happen anytime. • Muslims must pray on a prayer mat so they are praying in a clean place and the air must be clean.

Zakat.

• • Zakat is the practise of helping the poor by giving alms. This is a personal contribution by Muslims that can afford to give to the poor. It is usually 1/40 of a persons wealth but the contribution is up to the individual. Giving in this way is intended to free Muslims from the love of money. It reminds them that everything they have really belongs to God

Ramadan.

• Abstaining each day during Ramadan, the 9th Muslim month.

• Sawm is usually described as fasting. Not only is food forbidden, but also things like smoking and chewing gum.

Hajji

• The Hajji is the final pillar of Islam. A Muslim must make this pilgrimage once a lifetime providing they can make provisions for their family. The Hajji is a pilgrimage to Makkah or ‘Mecca’ as the English translation. This is to visit and touch Kaba.