The Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts
The Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts
The Five Pillars of Islam (Sunni) and the Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi'a) are the core practices that define Muslim life. They are acts of worship and obedience to Allah.
The Five Pillars (Sunni)
| Pillar | Arabic | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Shahadah | Declaration of faith | "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" — said sincerely to become Muslim |
| 2. Salah | Prayer | Praying five times daily facing Makkah (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) |
| 3. Zakah | Charitable giving | Donating 2.5% of savings annually to those in need |
| 4. Sawm | Fasting | Fasting during Ramadan — no food, drink or sexual relations from dawn to sunset |
| 5. Hajj | Pilgrimage | Visiting Makkah at least once in a lifetime if physically and financially able |
The Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi'a)
Shi'a Muslims follow the Five Pillars but add five more obligations:
| Act | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Salah | Prayer (same as Sunni, but may combine some prayers — 3 sessions instead of 5) |
| 2. Sawm | Fasting in Ramadan |
| 3. Zakah | 2.5% charitable tax |
| 4. Hajj | Pilgrimage to Makkah |
| 5. Khums | 20% tax on surplus income (additional to Zakah) — given to Islamic scholars and descendants of Muhammad |
| 6. Jihad | Struggle in the way of Allah (see separate note) |
| 7. Amr bil Maruf | Encouraging good |
| 8. Nahi anil Munkar | Forbidding evil |
| 9. Tawalla | Loving the friends of Allah (the Ahl al-Bayt, Muhammad's family) |
| 10. Tabarra | Disassociating from the enemies of Allah |
Salah (Prayer) in Detail
- Muslims pray five times daily at set times — this structures the entire day around worship
- Wudu (ritual washing) must be performed before prayer — face, hands, arms, feet
- Prayers face the Qiblah (direction of the Ka'aba in Makkah)
- Each prayer involves a sequence of rak'ahs (units of prayer) including standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting
- Jummah (Friday) prayer is the most important communal prayer — men are required to attend at the mosque
- Prostration (sujud) shows total submission to Allah — the forehead touches the ground
Why Salah Matters
- It maintains a constant connection with Allah throughout the day
- It demonstrates submission and obedience — Islam means "submission"
- It builds discipline and mindfulness
- It creates unity — Muslims worldwide pray at the same times, facing the same direction
- Surah 29:45 — "Establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing"
Zakah (Charity)
- 2.5% of surplus wealth given annually to those in need
- It is obligatory, not optional — it purifies wealth and the soul
- It helps create a just and equal society
- Recipients include the poor, orphans, travellers and those in debt
- Surah 2:267 — "O you who believe, spend from the good things which you have earned"
Exam Tips
- Know the Five Pillars and be able to explain each one's significance
- Be able to compare Sunni and Shi'a practices — especially Khums (Shi'a only)
- For AO2: Are outward practices necessary, or is inner faith enough? What if someone cannot fast or afford Hajj?
- Link each pillar to a belief — e.g. Salah links to Tawhid (praying only to Allah)