What religious obligations do Muslims have?
(1) The first step is to declare with conviction that 'there is none worthy of worship but Allah (God), and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah' (the shahadah). This is the first 'pillar' of Islam, and when said before witnesses it marks a person's entry into Islam. A sincere Muslim also undertakes to perform four acts of worship that complete the Five Pillars. These are:
(2) Prayer (salat) - Every believer should offer five prayers daily, at certain times of day (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening); the obligatory prayers take 5-10 minutes, engage body, mind and soul, and are offered in congregation whenever possible. Regular prayers help one to establish a direct link with God and are a means of purifying the heart; they can be likened to connecting to a power source and recharging one's being. Group prayers, in which believers stand, humbly, shoulder to shoulder, also help people to transcend false barriers of race, ethnicity, and class.
(3) Charity (zakat) - Muslims are expected to donate a minimum of 2.5% of their net yearly savings to charity, in the form of money or goods. This is collected by the community annually and distributed to those in need. The word zakat means purification and growth: one's wealth is not pure for one's own use until it has been shared with those less fortunate; being charitable leads to spiritual growth.
(4) Fasting (sawm Ramadan) - During the lunar month of Ramadan, the faithful abstain from food, drink and sexual relations between dawn and sunset, and are also expected to control their tongue and temper. Meals are taken before dawn and after sunset. Fasting in Ramadan teaches self-restraint and empathy for the poor, builds willpower and God-consciousness, and it is a time during which Muslims strengthen their ties with the community and their Creator.
(5) Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) - Every Muslim who is financially and physically able must visit Makkah once in his or her lifetime, during the Hajj season. The Pilgrimage puts the reality of human life into perspective: it serves as a vivid reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made by the prophets; it strengthens the bonds of brotherhood between the international community of Muslims, who come from every corner of the world to join in this unique 'annual convention;' and it prepares the pilgrim for the profound journey that each of us must undergo from this life to the Next.
Not just a 'religion,' but a way of life
There are many other acts of worship that are recommended in Islam, such as offering personal prayers and supplications, reading the Qur'an, volunteering in service of the community, etc., besides which everything a person does with the intention of pleasing God is considered an act of worship. In contrast, there are things that God has prohibited because of the harm they engender to individuals and society; these include lying, stealing, disrespecting one's parents, extra-marital affairs, drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other destructive or unethical behaviour. The guidelines for these commands and prohibitions are found in the Shari'ah, or Sacred Law, which is derived from the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.* The Shari'ah is unique in that it provides guidance not only on 'religious matters,' but addresses every aspect of life, including issues of social justice, politics, trade, international relations, family life, and even animal rights and the environment.
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