islamic practices

1. shahadah

“There is no compulsion in religion.”

“There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.”

2. salah

jumma - friday prayer (obligatory for men)

“Your Lord says call on me and I will answer you.”

“Keep up regular prayer, for prayer is obligatory.”

“So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayers.”

“When the call to prayer is made… hurry towards the reminder of God and leave off your trading.”

3. zakah

“Establish prayer and dispense Zakah.”

“Allah sees all that you do.”

“Alms are meant only for the poor, the needy…”

“God is well aware of whatever good you do.”

4. sawm

“The night of glory is better than a thousand months.”

“so any of you who is present that month should fast.”

“Every action of a human is for him except for fasting for that is solely for me and I will give a reward for him.”

“The bad breath of one who is fasting is better in sight of God on the Day of Judgement than the smell of perfume.”

5. Hajj

“Pilgrimage to the house is a duty owed to God by people who are able to undertake it.”

“Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure.. will return as free from sins as the day he was born.”

Jihad

“This is my path, leading straight, so follow it.”

“But those who have believed, migrated and striven for God's cause, it is they who can look forward to God's mercy.”

“The Greatest Jihad is to battle your own soul, to fight the evil within yourself.”

Id - ul - Fitr (“festival of breaking the fast” - end of Ramadan)

Day off for British Muslims / public holiday in Muslim countries

Rise early, bathe, wear new clothes, eat dates/sweet dish

Give zakat ul fitr

Attend Id prayer, listen to Imam’s sermon

Exchange gifts, meal with family and friends

Recite takbir tashreeq: “you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him”

Forgiveness and visiting cemetery to remember loved ones

Id - ul - Adha

Rise early, bathe, wear new clothes

Sacrifice an animal

Morning prayers, listen to sermon

Sharing gifts, money and sweets

Homes decorated, food prepared

Forgiveness and visiting cemetery to remember loved ones

“I have seen in a vision that I offer thee in sacrifice”

“so pray to your Lord and sacrifice”

Ashura

Sunni - day of atonement, fasting, voluntary charity

Shia - solemn occasion, remember Hussayn’s sacrifice, public holiday

Some may:

take part in public marches

beat themselves with chains, wear black, cut themselves, donate blood

visit Husayn’s tomb

Re-enactment of Husayn’s death