section 3; living the muslim life

what are the 10 obligatory acts

-The Ten Obligatory Acts are the most important duties of a Shi’a Muslim

-They are based on the teachings of the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the work of Shi’a scholars

What is the History & Purpose of the Ten Obligatory Acts?

• The Ten Obligatory Acts were given by the Twelvers or the Twelve Imams

• These were the people who Shi’a Muslims believe were chosen by Allah to lead the faith after the death of the Prophet Muhammad

  • Ali Talib, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was his successor and established the Ten Obligatory Acts as the important practices for all Shi’a Muslims

The Ten Obligatory Acts are important because they:

• Guide the way all Shi’a Muslims practice their Muslim faith and live their lives

• Show commitment to Islam by Shi’a Muslims in both words and actions

• Bring followers closer to Allah

• Unite all Shi’a Muslims as a community

• Purify the heart

• Ease the suffering of the poor

• Help to establish a better and fairer society

• Are a way for Shi’a Muslims to achieve a good afterlife after they die

their basis in the quaran 

God has promised the believers, both men and women, Gardens graced with flowing streams where they will remain’ (Qur’an, Surah 9:72)

10 obligatory acts

1. salah

2. sawn

3. hajj

4. zakah

5. khums

6. jihad

7. amr bil ma’roof

8. nahi anil munkar

9. tawalla

10. tabarra

description of each of 10 obligatory act

salah- compulsory prayer 5 times a day

sawm-fasting dring daylight hours in ramadan

hajj-pilgrimage to makkah once in their lifetime

zakah- donating wealth to charity

khums-tax of 20% to help needy and causes chosen by shia leaders

jihad- striving in the way of allah

amr bil ma’roof- commandment encouraging good actions

nahi anil munkar- commandment discouraging evil actions

tawalla- Expressing love towards what is good, following the examples of the prophets

tabarra-Staying away from evil, moving away from those who turn away from Allah

Basis in the Qur’an of salah

‘Keep up regular prayer, for prayer is obligatory for the believers at prescribed times’(Surah 4:103)

Basis in the Qur’an of sawm 

‘You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you … so that you may be mindful of God’ (Surah 2:183)

Basis in the Qur’an of hajj

‘Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God by people who are able to undertake it’ (Surah 3:97)

Basis in the Qur’an of zakah

‘Whatever you give in charity, in your desire for God’s approval, will earn multiple reward

Basis in the Qur’an of khums

‘Know that one fifth of your battle gain belongs to God and the Messenger, to close relatives and orphans, to the needy and travellers’ (Surah 8:41)

Basis in the Qur’an of jihad

‘You who believe, be mindful of God … Strive for His cause, so that you may prosper’ (Surah 5:35)

Basis in the Qur’an of Amr bil ma’roof

‘The believers, both men and women, support each  other; they order what is right’ (Surah 9:71)

Basis in the Qur’an of Nahi anil munkar

‘The believers, both men and women, support each  other; they forbid what is wrong’ (Surah 9:71)

Basis in the Qur’an of tawalla

‘Say, “I ask no reward from you for this, only the affection due to kin”’ (Surah 42:23)

Basis in the Qur’an of tabarra 

You who believe, do not take My enemies and yours as your allies’ (Surah 60:1)

The Ten Obligatory Acts & Differences Between Shi’a & Sunni Muslims

• The Ten Obligatory Acts are the duties all Shi’a Muslims must undertake to show their commitment to their faith

• The phrase is only used by Shi’a Muslims because it was Shi’a scholars who formulated the acts

• Sunni Muslims have the Five Pillars of Islam instead to refer to the duties they must perform for their faith

• In reality, the duties are similar for Shi’a and Sunni Muslims

  • Four of the Five Pillars of Islam are included in the Ten Obligatory Acts (Salah, Sawm, Hajj, Zakah). Therefore these are important principles for all Muslims

  • Sunni Muslims will also practice many of the same principles listed in the other Obligatory Acts

• One key difference is in the practice of Khums, as Sunni Muslims do not give 20 per cent of their savings as Shi’a Muslims do

Worked Example

Explain two reasons why the Ten Obligatory Acts are important to Shi’a Muslims 

(4 marks)

Answer:

The Ten Obligatory Acts help Shi’a Muslims to get closer to Allah through actions such as praying, fasting, and giving money to charity (2 marks).

Another reason is that the Ten Obligatory Acts guide all Shi’a Muslims in how to practice their Muslim faith because they are all commanded by Allah and outlined in the Qur’an (2 marks)

what is the shahadah

-first of 5 pillars that all sunni muslims follow

-muslim statement of belief or decleration of faith and describes the key message of islam that all muslims must accept

-basic statement is that there is no god but allah and muhammad is his messenger

There is no God but Allah

• he first part of Shahadah is the key belief that ‘There is no god except Allah’ 

  • This is known as Tawhid

• Muslims must believe that there is only one God, Allah, and that he is one and without equal, the only being worthy of worship

where does the quran state the belief of tawhid 

‘Allah bears witness that there is no god except Him, as do the angels and all who have knowledge … There is no god except Him, the Almighty, the All Wise (Surah 3:18-19)

quote for shirk

‘God does not forgive the joining of partners with Him: anything less than that He forgives to whoever He will, but anyone who joins partners with God has fabricated a tremendous sin’ (Surah 4:48)

• Only Allah gave humans life, provides for everyone, and answers prayers

• Worshipping anything else but Allah is considered shirk, a serious sin that is described as unforgivable in the Qur’an

Muhammad is his Messenger (

• The second part of Shahadah means that Muslims must believe that the Prophet Muhammad was a messenger of Allah

  • This belief in prophets is known as Risalah

• Muslims believe that Muhammad was human, not a god

  • He was a man who dedicated his whole life to serving Allah

  • He was the key to humanity receiving the full and unaltered message of Allah

• The Qur’an calls Muhammad ‘an excellent model’ (Surah 33:41) for how to live

• Muslims have the greatest of respect for Muhammad

  • One way of showing this is that when using the Prophet’s name, they would say ‘peace and blessings be upon him’ afterwards

Role of the Shahadah Today

• The Shahadah plays a central role in Muslim practice today

• It remains the basic statement of faith

• Muslims recite the Shahadah daily to remind them of the central importance of these beliefs

• Muslims would say that anyone who cannot recite it is not a Muslim

Worked Example

Outline three beliefs about the Shahadah

(3 marks)

Answer:

Muslims believe that the Shahadah is the central statement of belief of Islam (1 mark)

It contains the key beliefs of faith in one God (Tawhid) and Muhammad as the messenger or prophet of God (Risalah) (1 mark)

Muslims believe that this statement underpins all of the other beliefs of Islam (1 mark)

The History and Significance of Salah

• Salah is the second of the Five Pillars of Islam and one of the Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi’a Muslims

• It is the compulsory prayer that takes place five times each day

what does the quran teach about salah

‘Celebrate the glory of your Lord and be among those who bow down to Him: worship your Lord until what is certain comes to you’ (Surah 15:98-99)

• ‘What is certain’ in this context means death, so this passage calls on believers to worship Allah for their entire lifetime

• This passage also mentions bowing down to Allah, which is a key element of performing Salah

• All of the prophets taught about worship, and the Prophet Muhammad showed Muslims how they should pray

The Purpose of Salah for Muslims

• Muslims believe that through Salah they can communicate directly with Allah

• Therefore praying five times a day can deepen their relationship with Allah

• They will also pray to seek help if they are troubled

• ‘I respond to those who call Me, so let them respond to Me, and believe in Me, so they may be guided’ (Qur’an, Surah 2:186)

• They will pray to help to improve their behaviour

‘Keep up the prayer, prayer strengthens outrageous and unacceptable behaviour’ (Qur’an, Surah 29:45)

• Praying five times a day is obligatory for all adults to show their commitment to their faith

• Children are encouraged to participate and develop the practice of prayer, they will learn to pray from a very young age as they grow up in the Muslim faith

• The Prophet Muhammad said that the first question Allah will ask his followers in the akhirah (afterlife) will be about Salah

The Timing of Salah

• Muslims will perform Salah at set times of the day, because the Qur’an teaches

‘Keep up regular prayer, for prayer is obligatory for the believers at prescribed times’ (Surah 4:103)

• These times are: just after dawn, just after midday, late afternoon, just after sunset and after dark

• In practice, life and work commitments make it difficult always to observe all of these times, and therefore some prayers can be combined (Shi’a Muslims commonly do this)

Ablution in Preparation for Salah

• It is important to be clean for Salah, so Muslims will perform wudu, or ablution

• This is a process of ritual washing. Believers will clean their hands, feet and face

• While they do this, they will reflect on their Niyyah (intentions) for their prayer

• This process prepares Muslims both physically and spiritually for Salah

The Process of Salah

• Muslims will face the city of Makkah for Salah, because it is where the Ka’aba is located

• This direction of prayer is called qiblah

• During prayer, Muslims perform a set sequence of movements called a rak’ah as they pray

  •  Movements in the sequence include

    • Standing (qiyam)

    • Bowing (ruku’)

    • Prostrating (sajdah)

    • Kneeling (qa’dah)

    • Muslims recite set prayers in Arabic from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Hadith

Performing Salah at the Mosque

• Salah can be done anywhere, but most Muslims pray either in the mosque or at home

• Because the mosque is dedicated to offering prayer, it is a peaceful place to perform Salah, and it is easy to perform Wudu

• Salah at the mosque is considered to carry more blessings

  • The Hadith says ‘Prayer with the congregation is 27 times better than prayer performed by oneself’

• It also creates unity between believers and strengthens their bonds

• There are strict rules about Salah at the mosque

  • Muslims must enter calmly

  • Cover their heads 

  • Remove their shoes

  • Switch off electronic devices such as phones

  • Remain silent after greeting other worshippers with the greeting ‘peace be upon you’

• The adhan (call to prayer) signals the start of Salah

• An imam leads the prayer

• There is a mihrab (niche) in the wall to show which direction worshippers should stand to face Makkah

• The worshippers will stand in rows, shoulder to shoulder

• Men and women do not pray together, they have separate prayer areas

Performing Salah at Home

• Prayer can be performed anywhere, as long as wudu is performed, and the place is clean

• Many Muslims perform Salah at home, and in some places women do not ever attend the mosque and always pray at home

• The Prophet Muhammad encouraged followers to pray in their houses

‘Pray in your houses – do not make them like graveyards’ (Hadith – Sahih Al-Bukhari)

• Praying at home can help children to learn about prayer

Jummah Prayer

• Jummah prayer is the most important prayer of the whole week

• It takes place in the mosque each Friday

• All Muslims try to attend Jummah, a special service where the imam will offer a sermon and there is the opportunity for sins to be forgiven

‘He who comes … to Jummah …offers the Salah and listens quietly when the Imam stands up for the sermon, will have his sins forgiven’ (Hadith – Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Divergent Understanding of Salah

Sunni Muslims	Shi’a Muslims
Perform Salah at five prayer times each day	Combine the five daily prayers into three sessions
Move head from left to right at the end of prayer	Raise their hands three times to Allah at the end of prayer
Prostrate themselves by touching their heads to the floor	Place a small block of wood or earth on the floor (turbah) so that their head touches something natural when they prostrate themselves, reminding them that they have come from the earth and will return to it after death

Worked Example

Outline three reasons why Muslims pray

(3 marks)

Muslims pray

• To communicate directly with Allah (1 mark)

• To deepen their relationship with Allah (1 mark)

• To seek help if they are troubled (1 mark)

The Role & History of Sawm

• Sawm is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam and one of the Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi’a Muslims

• Sawm is Arabic for fasting

• The main period of fasting is during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar

  • This is a lunar calendar and differs slightly from the solar calendar, so the date of Ramadan shifts slightly each year

  • The fasting starts at the sighting of the new moon and lasts until the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr

  • All Muslim adults in good health should observe fasts during this time

what does quran teach about sawm

‘You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you … so that you may be mindful of God’ (Surah 2:183)

why is month of ramadan important

• The month of Ramadan is significant because it was the month when the Angel Jibril first visited the Prophet Muhammad and gave him the first revelation of the Qur’an

what does fasting meaning 

• Fasting means more than just refraining from food and drink: they must also give up anything that is a distraction from remembering God

• This includes smoking, sex, and even listening to music

• At this time Muslims take extra care to avoid evil thoughts and deeds

suhur and iftar

• Muslims will get up before dawn to eat breakfast (suhur) before their fast starts

• They will share a meal at the end (iftar) that starts with consuming dates, as the Prophet Muhammad did

Sawm is important to Muslims because

• As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, it is compulsory for Muslims and so fasting shows commitment and obedience to Allah

• It helps Muslims to get closer to Allah and to be grateful for all that he has provided

• ‘He [Allah] wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify you for having guided you, so that you may be thankful’ (Qur’an, Surah 2: 185)

• Extra prayers are offered during the night, which are believed to confer special blessings from Allah

• It helps Muslims to learn self-discipline

• It gives them an opportunity to reflect on their actions and try to lead a better life – in fact, the Hadith warns that there is no point in fasting if they do not become better as a result

‘Whoever does not give up lying and evil deeds and saying bad words to others, then God is not in need of their leaving food and drink’ (Hadith – Sahih Al-Bukhari)

• It gives Muslims a greater sympathy for the poor, makes them more grateful for what they have, and helps them to realise the importance of charity

• Because this was the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed, it makes Muslims more aware of the Qur’an’s value and importance

• It brings Muslims closer together as a community (ummah) and strengthens their unity

• It is an experience that makes the believer purer, physically and spiritually

Who is Excused From Fasting?

• Certain groups of people are not expected to fast

• These include

  • Young children

  • The elderly

  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women

  • Those who are sick

  • People who are travelling on long journeys

• If it would be harmful to fast, Muslims should not do it

• The Qur’an supports this, saying

‘God wants ease for you, not hardship’ (Surah 2:185)

• Anyone (except children) who does not take part must make up for it by

  • Fasting at another time

  • Or making a donation to the poor (known as fidyah)

The History of the Night of Power

• The Night of Power is known as Laylat al-Qadr

• It is when Allah gave the first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad and started his prophethood

• The Angel Jibril visited Muhammad while he was praying in Cave Hira during the month of Ramadan and commanded him to read some words (although Muhammad said that he had not been taught how to read)

• The first words the angel revealed were

‘Read! In the name of the Lord your God who created: He created man from a clinging form. Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One who taught by the pen, who taught man what he did not know’ (Surah 96:1-5)

The Nature of the Night of Power

• Muslims believe the content revealed in the Qur’an is the final message of Allah to humanity, so Muhammad became a prophet for all humanity on this night

• Muslims can experience a Laylat al-Qadr or Night of Power themselves to strengthen their faith and bring them closer to Allah

  • The nature of how Laylat al-Qadr is experienced is explained in different ways

    • Many think that it is a moment when a person receives special blessings

    • Or when all of their prayers are heard and answered

    • Or even when the angels support them in some specific trial

• The Qur’an describes Laylat al-Qadr as a time of special blessings and rewards

‘Worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months’ (Surah 97:3)

he Significance of Laylat al-Qadr to Muslims Today

• Laylat al-Qadr is of special significance during Ramadan to Muslims today

  • It is a time when Muslims remember the revelation of the Qur’an to all of humanity

  • Muslims try to come closer to Allah and attain special blessings

  • Muslims attend mosques in the evenings during Ramadan

  • Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr can remove past sins, and so this is a time to ask for forgiveness from Allah

  • Many Muslims spend the last few nights of Ramadan in i’tikaf

    • This is a retreat where they have a private space in the mosque to spend time in study, prayer, reflection, and repentance

    • They spend this time in seclusion to give them the opportunity to become more devoted to Allah

    • They do this because the Prophet Muhammad advised his followers to seek Laylat al-Qadr on one of the odd nights towards the end of the fasting month, meaning the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, or twenty-ninth nights

Explain two ways that Muslims observe Ramadan

(4 marks)

Muslims observe Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk, which means that they abstain from food and drink, smoking, and sex during this time (2 marks)

 Muslims will also do their best to avoid evil thoughts and deeds, because Ramadan is a time for purifying themselves and getting closer to Allah (2 marks)

What is Zakah?

• Zakah is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam, so is a compulsory duty for Sunni Muslims

• Zakah is the practice of a Muslim giving a contribution of 2.5 percent of their wealth to benefit the poor and needy

  • This amount is paid at the end of each lunar year

• Islam teaches that wealth is a gift from Allah which must be used responsibly, and all Muslims who can afford it have a duty to share some of their earnings with those in need

• The recipients of Zakah include those who are in poverty or debt, comfort for those who are travelling, or ransom for prisoners of war

quaran quote for zakah 

‘Alms [food or money given to the poor] are meant only for the poor, the needy, those who administer them, those whose hearts need winning over, to free slaves and help those in debt, for God's cause, and for travellers in need’ (Qur’an, Surah 9:60)

what are the different ways zakat is managed

• In Muslim countries, Zakah is given to the state

• In other countries such as the UK, it is given to the mosque who will distribute it to those in need

• Some Zakah money is used by Islamic charities such as Muslim Aid or Islamic Relief in response to world emergencies and disasters

• Zakah is a confidential donation; the giver does not know who receives their money, and the recipient does not know who the donor was

• Zakah is only given by those who can afford to give. The minimum wealth requirement is known as nisab, based on how much wealth a person has once they have provided for their family’s basic needs

Why is Zakah Important for Muslims?

• Zakah is historically important - it has existed since the time of the Prophet Muhammad and is mentioned in the Qur’an

• As one of the Five Pillars, it is a duty that Muslims must undertake

• It is a way to create a fairer and more united society that supports the Ummah

• Zakah means ‘purification’ in Arabic; giving this contribution means a Muslim’s wealth is ‘purified.’ The donation becomes a source of goodness for others and what remains is blessed and purified

• Zakah can help to free a person from greed and selfishness, helping them to be more spiritual and less materialistic

• Muslims believe Zakah is a form of worshipping Allah, and it is listed alongside prayer and obeying Allah in the Qur’an as a way to receive mercy

‘Keep up the prayer, pay the prescribed alms [Zakah], and obey the Messenger, so that you may be given mercy’ (Surah 24:56)

• At the akhirah Muslims will be judged on their actions and Allah will reward these acts of kindness

‘Pay the prescribed alms, and lend God a good loan. Whatever you store up for yourselves, you will find with God, better and with a greater reward’ (Qur’an, Surah 73:20)

• The consequences of not paying Zakah is serious for those who can afford to but do not use their money wisely; the Qur’an says  

‘This will be a source of intense regret for them: they will be overcome and herded towards Hell’ (Surah 8:36)

What is Khums?

• Shi’a Muslims give Zakah but also pay Khums

• Khums means one fifth; it is the practice of paying 20 percent of your wealth to other causes, based on the Qur’an teaching

‘Know that one-fifth of your battle gains belongs to God and the Messenger, to close relatives and orphans, to the needy and travellers’ (Surah 8:41)

• It is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts

• At the time of Muhammad, the 20 percent would have been given to the Imam, who would distribute it as he chose

• Traditionally, the money has gone to the needy, but also to help causes that advance the cause of Islam. 

  • For example, Khums may be used on Islamic schools and education, mosques, and any religious cause

Why is Khums Important for Shi’a Muslims?

• As one of the Ten Obligatory Acts, Khums is a duty for Shi’a Muslims. 

  • Sunni Muslims recognise it as historically important, but do not place the same emphasis on it

• It is important because it benefits the poor and suffering

• It is important because of the good that it does in promoting Islam through education

• It honours Muhammad and the leaders of Shi’a Islam, who have always distributed the wealth wisely

The Benefits of Receiving Zakah & Khums

• Zakah and Khums can be of immense value to the lives of people who receive it

  • The money can help to lift people out of poverty and improve their quality of life

  • It also benefits people who can get better access to education when Khums is used for educational projects

  • It can help the Ummah by ensuring that the message of Islam is promoted well

Worked Example

Explain two reasons why Muslims give Zakah

(4 marks)

Muslims give Zakat to relieve the suffering of those in poverty or debt, which unites the worldwide Muslim community (Ummah) (2 marks)

Giving Zakat fulfils a Muslim’s duty to obey one of the Five Pillars of Islam, showing respect for Allah (2 marks