Practices

The most important Muslim practices are the Five Pillars of Islam.

Islam prescribes how Muslims should pray, do business and conduct their lives.

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Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life.

Shahadah: the statement of faith

The Muslim statement of faith encapsulates the most important Muslim beliefs. It must be recited three times when somebody becomes a Muslim.

Salat: daily prayers

Salat is the obligatory Muslim prayers, performed five times each day by every good Muslim.

Zakat: charity

Zakat is the compulsory giving of a set proportion of one's wealth to charity. It is regarded as a type of worship and of self-purification.

Sawm: fasting

Sawm is fasting. Muslims are required to fast for one month every year: Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the month of fasting (sawm, the fourth pillar of Islam) when Muslims learn self-control and sympathy for the hungry. Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid ul Fitr.

Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca

Hajj is pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims who are physically able must make this journey once in a lifetime.

In pictures: Hajj

This photogallery of a once in a lifetime journey for Muslims, takes you through the Hajj process step by step.

Peace be upon him

Muslims say Peace be upon Him after every mention of Muhammad's name, as a mark of respect.