Worship and Duties in Islam

Salah (Prayer)

• Salah is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and involves praying five times a day: at dawn (Fajr), midday (Dhuhr), afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and night (Isha).
• Prayer is a direct link between the worshipper and Allah, used to seek guidance, ask for forgiveness, and express devotion.
• Before prayer, Muslims perform Wudu (ablution) to cleanse themselves physically and spiritually.
• Prayers are to be performed facing the Ka'bah in Mecca, which is seen as the holiest site in Islam.

Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan)

• Sawm is another pillar of Islam that involves fasting from dawn until sunset during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Muslims are not allowed to eat, drink, or engage in other physical needs during the daylight hours to purify the soul, focus on Allah, and practice self-sacrifice.
• The end of Ramadan is marked by the feast of Eid ul-Fitr, a festive time of thanksgiving to Allah for the strength to complete the fast.

Zakat (Charity)

• Zakat, the third pillar of Islam, is a mandatory charitable contribution usually amounting to 2.5% of a Muslim's total savings and wealth.
• This act embodies the principle of social responsibility and is meant to help the poor, assist the needy, and advance Islamic religious activities.
• Zakat is not just an act of charity but is seen as a religious duty and form of worship.

Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

• Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, which every Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially capable.
• The pilgrimage includes various rituals, such as the tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'bah), sa'i (between the hills of Safa and Marwah), and the Day of Arafah.
• Successfully completing the Hajj is believed to wipe away all of a person's sins.

Jihad (Struggle)

• The term Jihad literally means 'struggle' and refers to the spiritual struggle against sin.
• It can also represent a physical struggle for self-improvement or to defend Islam.

Khums (Tax)

• Exclusively in Shia Islam, Khums is a 20% tax applied to a person's surplus income after all expenses have been deducted.
• Half of the Khums is given to poor and needy Shia Muslims, while the other half is given to religious scholars.

Dutifulness

• Muslims have a duty to follow the Sunna which is the example set by the Prophet Muhammad in his actions, sayings and approvals.
• They believe in the importance of respect and kindness to parents, with numerous QUr'anic verses and Hadiths emphasising this.
• Muslims have a communal responsibility, or Ummah, to support each other and strive for social justice and equality.