Islam - 3.1.5.2 Practices — AQA GCSE Religious Studies

The Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj) form the foundation of Sunni Islamic practice, guiding daily life and worship. Shi'a Islam shares these core practices but structures them within the Ten Obligatory Acts (Furu ad-Din). These include Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj, alongside Khums (a 20% wealth tax), Jihad (the struggle to maintain faith and defend Islam), Amr-bil-Maroof (encouraging good), Nahi Anil Munkar (discouraging evil), Tawallah (loving the Prophet's family), and Tabarra (disassociating from enemies of God). Students must understand that Jihad is a shared duty in both Sunni and Shi'a traditions, representing both the internal spiritual struggle (greater jihad) and the outward defence of the faith (lesser jihad).

The Shahadah is the fundamental Islamic declaration of faith: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger." It is the first of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and underpins all other beliefs and practices. Reciting the Shahadah with sincere belief is the only requirement to convert to Islam. Its place in Muslim practice is central and continuous; it is whispered into the ears of newborns, recited during the daily prayers (Salah), called out in the Adhan (call to prayer), and is ideally the last words spoken before death. For Shi'a Muslims, an additional phrase is often added: "and Ali is the friend of God," highlighting their belief in Ali's rightful succession. This declaration unites the global Ummah.

Salah, the second Pillar of Islam, is the compulsory daily prayer demonstrating submission to Allah. Muslims pray to build a personal relationship with God and seek forgiveness. Before praying, ritual purification (wudu) is performed to ensure spiritual and physical cleanliness. Prayers occur at five set times daily, facing the Qibla (the Ka'aba in Makkah). The prayer consists of set sequences of movements called rak'ahs, including bowing and prostrating, accompanied by specific Arabic recitations from the Qur'an. While praying in a mosque congregation is highly rewarded, especially for men, salah can be validly performed at home or elsewhere, provided the space is clean, often using a prayer mat.

Jummah is the special communal Friday midday prayer, obligatory for men, which replaces the standard Zuhr prayer and includes a sermon (khutbah) from the Imam. While all Muslims value prayer, practices differ between traditions. Sunni Muslims pray five distinct times daily and cross their arms or leave them by their sides. Shi'a Muslims often combine prayers to pray three times a day and rest their foreheads on a clay block (turbah) from Karbala during prostration. Different Muslim views on prayer's importance range from seeing it as a strict duty commanded by Allah to viewing it primarily as a spiritual tool for maintaining a constant, comforting connection with God throughout daily life.

In Islam, religious practices are structured around core duties and communal festivals that shape a Muslim's spiritual life. Duties refer to obligatory acts of worship, primarily the Five Pillars for Sunni Muslims (such as Salah and Zakah) and the Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi'a Muslims, which include additional duties like Khums. These duties demonstrate submission to Allah and build self-discipline. Festivals, such as Id-ul-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan) and Id-ul-Adha (commemorating Ibrahim's test of faith), provide opportunities for communal prayer, charity, and celebration. Shi'a Muslims also observe Ashura to mourn the martyrdom of Husayn. Together, these duties and festivals foster a strong global Ummah (community).

Sawm is the obligatory duty of fasting during Ramadan, the ninth Islamic month. Its origins lie in the command to fast to develop Taqwa (God-consciousness). Duties include abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity during daylight hours, alongside increased prayer and charity. Benefits include spiritual discipline, empathy for the poor, and seeking forgiveness. Exceptions exist for the sick, pregnant, elderly, or travelling, as Islam teaches Allah does not wish to cause hardship; missed days are made up later or compensated via Fidyah. Ramadan is highly significant because it contains the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), marking when the Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad, as detailed in Qur'an 96:1-5.

Zakah, the third Pillar of Sunni Islam, is the compulsory giving of 2.5% of a Muslim's surplus wealth to charity, originating from the Qur'an's command to support the needy. It is given annually by those whose wealth exceeds the nisab (minimum threshold). Muslims give Zakah to purify their wealth, fulfil a duty to Allah, and reduce inequality. The benefits of receipt include alleviating poverty, supporting orphans, and strengthening the ummah (community). In Shi'a Islam, alongside Zakah, Muslims pay Khums, a 20% tax on surplus income. Half of Khums goes to religious leaders for Islamic education and the other half supports the poor and descendants of Muhammad, highlighting a distinct approach to almsgiving.

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, originating from the trials of Prophet Ibrahim and his family. It is a compulsory duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able. Pilgrims enter a state of Ihram (purity) before circling the Ka'aba seven times (Tawaf), demonstrating unity and devotion to Allah. At Mina, pilgrims throw pebbles at pillars (Jamarat) to symbolise rejecting the devil. The climax occurs at Arafat, where pilgrims stand in prayer seeking forgiveness, reflecting the Day of Judgement. At Muzdalifah, they collect pebbles and camp under the stars. These actions collectively signify submission, spiritual cleansing, and the profound equality of the global ummah before Allah.

Jihad translates as 'struggle' or 'striving' in the way of Allah. Greater jihad is the personal, internal struggle of every Muslim to live a good life, follow the Five Pillars, and resist temptation, such as waking up early for Fajr prayer. It is highly significant as it shapes daily moral conduct. Lesser jihad is the outward, physical struggle to defend Islam from threat. Its origins lie in the early days of Islam when Muslims faced severe persecution in Makkah and had to defend themselves. The influence of lesser jihad is seen in the strict rules governing conflict; it can only be declared by a legitimate religious leader, must be in self-defence, cannot target civilians, trees, or places of worship, and must end when the enemy sues for peace.

Festivals unite the Muslim community (Ummah), crucial for Muslims in Great Britain today to maintain cultural and religious identity. Id-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, originating as a celebration commanded by Allah for completing the fast, meaning the festival of breaking the fast, observed with prayers and sweet foods. Id-ul-Adha originates from Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, meaning the festival of sacrifice, coinciding with the end of Hajj. Ashura is a commemoration; for Shi'a Muslims, it marks the martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala, while Sunni Muslims observe it as the day Musa was saved from the Egyptians. These events foster community cohesion.