Islamic Practices

Five Pillars vs Ten Obligatory Acts

Sunni follow 5 Pillars; Shi'a follow the 5 Pillars plus 5 more acts (10 total).

Shahadah

Declaration of faith. "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger."

Salah

Prayer 5 times a day (Sunni) or 3 times combined (Shi'a). "Bow down and I will answer you."

Wudu

Ritual washing before prayer. "Wash your faces and your hands up to your elbows."

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan. "Fasting is prescribed to you… that you may learn self-restraint."

Night of Power

The night the Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad; worth 1000 months of worship.

Zakah

Giving 2.5% of savings to charity annually. "Be steadfast in prayer and give Zakah."

Khums

A 20% Shi'a tax split between charity and Shi'a religious leaders.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Makkah. "Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God."

Ka'aba

The black cube in Makkah circled 7 times during Hajj; represents monotheism.

Arafat

The mount where Muslims pray for forgiveness; the most crucial part of Hajj.

Greater Jihad

The internal

Lesser Jihad

Outer physical struggle/holy war to defend Islam. "Fight in the cause of God who fight you."

Eid-ul-Fitr

Festival breaking the fast of Ramadan; involves communal prayers and giving Zakah-al-Fitr.

Eid-ul-Adha

Festival of sacrifice during Hajj. "The animal offerings are among those observed by God."

Ashura

Shi'a day of mourning for Hussein; Sunni day of fasting for Moses' rescue from Egypt.