The Purpose of the Ten Obligatory Acts1. Identify the key Shi’a Islamic beliefs that form the foundation of their religion2. Allow Shi’a Muslims to worship Allah through their beliefs and actions3. Bring them closer to Allah and follow his rules and lawsWhy are they important for Shi’a Muslims today?

The ten Obligatory Acts unite Shi’a Muslims; it gives purpose to their lives and helps them to understand how they should behave on a daily basis. Muslims will face challenges from modern society and the Acts help them to identify in their lives how they should act and how Allah wants them to live.

The Shahadah is where Muslims state their belief in one God who is Allah, and in the prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe they should submit to Allah in all areas of their life. They will repeat this statement to show that they recognise the power and supremacy of Allah in their lives, as well as the prominence given to Muhammad as the Prophet chosen by AllahIt sums up two key beliefs• There is one God called Allah – this is Tawhid and is central to Islam• Confirming they accept Muhammad as a prophet of AllahRECITING THE SHAHADAHIt confirms to the person speaking and those listening that the person is claiming to be a Muslim.It will be spoken the first time a person formally declares that they are Muslim and should be stated three times in front of witnesses.They will be spoken out loud with sincerity and with full understanding of what they mean.This makes up part of the adhan –the call to prayer. It is said to new-born babies and, if possible, as the final words just before death.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHAHADAH FOR MUSLIMS TODAY

It contains the basic beliefs of Islam.It is seen as the starting point of Muslim beliefs and repeating shows their commitment to Allah is continuous.It reinforces belief in Tawhid and Risalah, which are contained in the six beliefs of Islam.Muslims believe their whole life should be in submission to Allah.The first pillar underpins and supports the other Pillars as they are further acts of showing submission.

The second Pillar is Salah and this is compulsory prayer, it is seen as a way of communicating with and getting guidance from Allah. Prayer enables Muslims to get closer to Allah and understand him better, also demonstrating their submission. Sunni Muslims consider those who do not pray 5 times a day unbelievers whereas Shi’a Muslims combine two of the Salahs, and pray only three times a day. It is important that Muslims are spiritually clean before they pray. This is achieved by ritual washing (or ablution called wudu).Performing Salah

When praying, Muslims should face the holy city of Makkah. This means that all Muslims are physically and mentally focusing on one place associated with God. If all prayers are taking place in a mosque, this is easy to achieve.

All mosques have a mihrab, this is a semi-circular niche built into the qiblah wall. This shows the exact direction of Makkah.

Muslims stand in rows, shoulder to shoulder. This shows equality and solidarity.

Many mosques have special carpet that look like separate rows or prayer mats,.

The midday prayer every Friday is considered to be special, and it is called the Jummah prayer. Once the prayer is complete, the imam will deliver a sermon that reminds Muslims of their obligations and duties to God.

Men and women pray in separate spaces. The voice of the imam is often broadcast in the women’s prayer room at the same time,

When Muslims pray, they follow a set system of movement called rakahs, These demonstrate ideas of obedience and submission to Allah because Muslims are lowering themselves below Allah

WHY IS PRAYER IMPORTANT FOR MUSLIMS?❖ It is regular communication with Allah❖ It helps Muslims to connect to Allah and to remember that their lives should be

in submission to him.❖ It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and therefore is a duty that every Muslim

should perform❖ Salah offers a chance for Muslims to step away from their daily lives and reflect

on their faith. It allows them to focus on Allah which is the purpose of their existence.

❖ It is important that prayers are said with the right intention – Muslims believe that just saying prayers is meaningless if they do not feel and understand the words.

Similarities and differences between Muslims and Christians▪ Prayer is important in both religions as a way of communicating with God. Both have set

prayers which they can complete as part of a service or individually. They also both have the flexibility to worship in their places of worship or at home. However, there are a number of differences between them, such as:

▪ Muslims perform the rakahs whilst praying, whereas Christians tend to stay in one position, possibly with their hands together.

▪ Muslims face Makkah- their holy city – whilst praying.▪ They both believe in one God but Christians may direct their prayers towards the idea of

the Trinity which Muslims do not accept▪ Although Christians may have common times to pray, they are flexible whereas Muslims

have fixed times to pray throughout the day.▪ Before prayer, Muslims perform wudu, their ritual washing, whereas Christians do not.

FastingSawm is the fourth pillar of Islam and means fasting. All Muslims must fast and Sawmhappens during the ninth month of the Islam calendar, called Ramadan. For one whole month of Ramadan, every healthy adult Muslim should go without food and drink during daylight hours and should not indulge in anything considered to be sinful.

What are the rules for fasting? • Muslims are very strict about fasting and

believe that nothing should pass the lips. This includes food, drink (including water), chewing gum or smoke from cigarettes.

• It can take a lot of self-discipline to follow the rules of fasting. Muslims believe that unintentional eating or drinking, does not cancel the fast.

• Muslims follow a lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. This means that Islamic months do not run at the same time each year, therefore Ramadan moves throughout the year.

Who should fast?✓ Muslims believe that every healthy adult

who is able should take part in the fast. Children from the age of ten will take part .

✓ Some people are excused from fasting. This includes women who are menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding.

✓ Other groups who are excused include those who are sick or who might harm themselves by fasting, the elderly and young children.

✓ If a Muslim is in the army or tackling a long journey, they are also excused because they need their energy to keep up their strength.

✓ If a person cannot fast for any period they are advised to make up any missed days at another time. If they cannot do

What is the significance and purpose of fasting? The Qur’an says that Sawm is an obligatory duty to perform as it is one of the Five Pillars. Muslims believe that fasting helps them to appreciate everything that Allah has provided

for them. Having to give up something teaches Muslims self-control and discipline as they need to

overcome the challenge of going without food or water in the daylight hours. The Prophet Muhammad himself is believed to have fasted when he was alive and he gave

the instruction of following Sawm in his final sermon. The month of Ramadan is important to Muslims as it is during this month that Muhammad

received his first revelation of the Qur’an. Muslims believe the hardship of not eating or drinking will also teach them how the poor

and needy suffer.

The Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr)o The Night of Power is an important festival that marks the beginning of God’s revelation to

Muhammad. The exact date this happened is not agreed on, but it is believed to be one of the odd-number dates in the second half of Ramadan.

o It is important for several reasons:o Muhammad realised he had been chosen to be a Prophet of Allaho The Qur’an was revealed through this evento It marks the arrival if the final guidance from Allah to humanity.o Some Muslims believe it to be the holiest night of the year and a time to receive special

blessings

Zakah is the third Pillar of Islam and is an obligatory poor tax. It is often translated to mean ‘charity’, ‘alms’, ‘welfare’ or ‘tax’. It is a type of charity that is intended to help the poor. It is a form of worship because the money is given in the name of Allah.

How does it work?➢ According to Islamic law,

Muslim countries have the authority to collect and distribute Zakah.

➢ Some Muslim states follow this practice, while others and many non-Muslim countries leave it to the individual Muslim to organise their payment.

➢ In the UK the money is often collected by the local mosque for distribution.

➢ Failure to pay Zakah is taken by Muslims as a sign of unbelief in Allah and the religion of Islam.

Why are Zakah and Khums seen as important?

a. Hajj , or pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of Islam.

b. It is a sacred journey that happens once a year.

c. It is a duty that every Muslim should try to complete once in their lifetime.

d. However it is physically demanding and can be expensive, so not every Muslim will be able to achieve this goal.

Actions performed on Hajj▪ Muslim pilgrims circle the Ka’bah in an anti-

clockwise. This action is known as Tawaf.▪ In one corner of the Ka’bah is the black

stone, which many Muslims will try to kiss or touch.

▪ Muslims will move through a passage between the hills of Marwa and Safa seven times.

▪ Pilgrims travel to Mount Arafat. Where they stand and beg forgiveness.

▪ Many Muslims read from the Qur’an and perform their daily prayers there.

▪ Pilgrims travel to Mina where they collect 49 pebbles. They throw these at three stone pillars to symbolise rejecting the devil.

▪ Then, Muslim pilgrims sacrifice an animal, often a sheep or a goat, to remember Ibrahim’s sacrifice.

▪ Many Muslims may pay together for this and the meat is shared with as many people as possible, including the poor.

Why is it important?It is one of the Five Pillars and is therefore considered to be obligatory. It shows equality between all Muslims. Everyone wears ihram, completes the same actions and stands before Allah as equals.It is a ritual designed to unite Muslims as a community (ummah)It helps Muslims renew their sense of purpose in the world. Hajj is a strenuous journey that they undertake for Allah.Makkah is the holy city for Muslims where much of the history if the religion began and so it is a n important spiritual place for them to visit.

The Islamic term jihad literally translates to ‘struggle’ or ‘striving’.

Greater JihadGreater jihad is considered to be the most important form of jihad and refers to the effort of every Muslim to live their life as a Muslim as well as possible. This means living their life according to the rules of Allah and the Qur’an, doing everything they can to help those around them. To do this they might:• Learn the Qur’an off by heart• Take part in Muslim

community activities to try and strengthen the ummah

• Work for social justice• Forgive those who have done

wrong to them.

Lesser JihadIslam is a peaceful religion but even those who support ideas of peace can find themselves in situations of conflict. Muslims believe that all peaceful methods should be tried to resolve conflict before resorting to any kind of fighting, but lesser jihad is often interpreted as holy war.Muslims believe that Muhammad taught his followers that Muslims should defend Islam and there are many stories that he himself led others into battle. There are strict requirements. Some are listed below.1. The opponent must always have started the fighting.2. It must not be fought to gain territory.3. It must be fought to bring about good.4. Every other way of solving the problem must be tried

before resorting to war.5. Innocent people should not be killed

Significance of JihadThey accept that greater jihad, as the daily struggle against temptation faced by Muslims, was considered to be more important by Muhammad. They believe every Muslim faces a daily battle to resist evil in the world.Jihad is seen as an act of sacrifice. It may mean Muslims have to sacrifice their time, skills, money or even their life for Allah. They believe there are some occasions when fighting is the right action

CELEBRATIONS AND COMMEMORATIONSId-ul-Adha• Id-ul-Adha means ‘Festival of Sacrifice’.

It is a festival that remembers the Prophet Ibrahim’s demonstration of faith and trust in Allah. Ibrahim trusted God completely and prepared to carry out his will. Before Ibrahim sacrificed Isaac, Allah provided a ram to be killed in his place in his place.

• Muslims celebrate this story as it reminds them of the importance of developing faith and trust in Allah.

• Today in Muslim countries it is a public holiday. They usually organise the sacrifice of an animal as a reminder. The meat is shared, special prayers will be spoken at the mosque and cards and presents will be given. Often extra money is given to the poor.

Id-ul-Fitr▪ Id-ul-Fitr means ‘Festival of breaking the

fast’ and is a celebration that takes place at the end of Ramadan.

▪ It signifies the end of Muslims performing the fourth Pillar of Islam, which is Sawm. The first Id is believed to have been celebrated by Muhammad in 624CE. Muslims believe that they are celebrating the end of fasting. They are also thanking Allah for the strength he gave them to complete this Pillar since it takes determination and self-discipline.

▪ Muslims will buy new clothes to wear and attend special services in the mosque. This brings the Islamic Ummah together.

▪ There are many celebratory processions through the streets and a celebratory atmosphere. Muslims will also join with

Id-ul-Ghadeero Shi’a Muslims recognise and

celebrate the festival of Id-ul-Ghadeer on 18 Zilhajj.

o It remembers the appointment of Ali ibn Abi Talib by Muhammad as his successor. As there is a disagreement between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims over the authority of succession in Islam after the death of Muhammad, this festival is not recognised by Sunni Muslims.

o Muhammad is believed to have announced Ali as his successor, as told by Allah. Shi’as also believe that immediately after this it was revealed that Allah had perfected the religion of Islam.

o They often celebrate this festival by fasting or by sharing food with the poor.

o They will spend time thanking Allah and Muhammad for ensuring the succession of Islam.

Ashura▪ Ashura is a celebration recognised by both Shi’a

and Sunni Muslims. ▪ It takes place on the tenth day of Muharram, the

first month of the Islamic calendar. For Shi’a Muslims, Ashura is a solemn commemoration of the martyrdom at Kabala in 680CE of Hussain, who was a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He was killed in a battle with his followers.

▪ There are often mourning rituals and passion plays that retell the stories. Shi’a Muslims may dress in black and parade through the streets.

▪ For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is a fasting day which remembers how Nuh left the Ark and how Musa was saved from the Egyptians by Allah.

Why are these important to Muslims?A. They mark and remember significant events in

the history of IslamB. They are a way to connect to the past.C. The events still have significance today in

helping Muslims live as Allah wants them toD. Muslims believe special occasions bring them

closer to AllahE. Celebrations and festivals help to reinforce the

ummah.