Living the faith.

The ten practices of Islam

Belief lives in the heart; practice brings it into the day. In the school of the Ahl al-Bayt these ten acts are called the furūʿ al-dīn, the “branches of religion,” growing from the roots of belief.

1. Prayer (Ṣalāt) — Five daily conversations with God.
2. Fasting (Ṣawm) — Ramadan: no food or drink from dawn to sunset.
3. Pilgrimage (Ḥajj) — Once in a lifetime to Mecca, if able.
4. Charity (Zakāt) — Giving a share of certain wealth to the needy.
5. One-fifth (Khums) — 20% of yearly savings for good causes and scholars.
6. Striving (Jihād) — Struggle in God’s way, above all against one’s own ego.
7. Enjoining good (Amr bil-maʿrūf) — Encouraging what is right.
8. Forbidding wrong (Nahy ʿan al-munkar) — Gently discouraging harm.
9. Loving God’s friends (Tawallī) — Loving the Prophet, his family and the righteous.
10. Distancing from enemies (Tabarrī) — Rejecting oppression and those who oppose truth.

Five prayers shape the day

The five daily prayers have 17 units (rakʿāt) in total.

• Fajr — Dawn · 2 units.
• Ẓuhr — Midday · 4 units.
• ʿAṣr — Afternoon · 4 units.
• Maghrib — Sunset · 3 units.
• ʿIshāʾ — Night · 4 units.

Before prayer: wuḍūʾ

Wuḍūʾ is a short washing that refreshes body and mind. Water is poured over the face and arms, and the head and feet are wiped.

1. Intend.
2. Wash the face.
3. Wash the arms.
4. Wipe the head.
5. Wipe the feet.

Why so many rules?

These are not burdens but training. Prayer builds remembrance, fasting builds self-control, charity builds generosity. “Prayer keeps one away from indecency and wrongdoing” (29:45).

“Prayer is the pillar of religion. If it is accepted, everything else is accepted.”

Prophet Muhammad (ṣ) · as reported from the Ahl al-Bayt

Part 7 of 9·All nine Discovering Islam articles