Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts

Shahadah

The Muslim declaration of faith.

Salah

Committing to daily prayers.

Sawm

Fasting from just before dawn until sunset.

Zakah

Giving a proportion of your wealth to help the poor.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca).

Jihad

The struggle to keep belief in Allah and follow his rules, to follow the Five Pillars of Islam successfully and to defend Islam.

Khums

20 per cent annual tax. This tax is paid on any profit earned by Shi’a Muslims. The money is split between charities supporting Islamic education and anyone who is descended from Muhammad who is in need.

Amr-bil-Maroof

Encouraging people to do what is good: Enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong (Surah 9:71). Maruf is anything that has been approved in Shari’ah law.

Nahil Anril Munkar

Forbidding evil by discouraging people from doing what is wrong.

Tawalia

Showing love. This includes both love for God and love for those who follow him.

Tabarra

Disassociation. Shi’a Muslims should not associate with God’s enemies.