The Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts (1RA0)
Two frameworks shape a Muslim life: the Five Pillars kept by Sunni Muslims and the Ten Obligatory Acts kept by Shi'a Muslims. Learn both, and the Shahadah that they all share.
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How Muslims put faith into practice
For Muslims, belief is shown through practice. Most Muslims are Sunni and keep the Five Pillars; Shi'a Muslims keep the Ten Obligatory Acts. The two lists overlap a great deal. This module looks at both frameworks, and especially at the Shahadah, the declaration of faith that both branches share.
The Five Pillars
The Five Pillars are the core duties of Sunni Islam:
What is the Shahadah?
What is the Shahadah, the first pillar of Islam?
- The declaration of faith in one God, Allah, and in Muhammad as his messenger
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan
- The pilgrimage to Mecca
- Giving a share of wealth to the poor
Match each pillar
- Shahadah
- Salah
- Zakah
- Sawm
- Hajj
- Declaring faith in Allah and his messenger
- Praying five times a day
- Giving a set share of wealth to the needy
- Fasting during Ramadan
- Making the pilgrimage to Mecca
Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts
Sunni and Shi'a Muslims organise their duties a little differently, but agree on the core acts.
Which are the Five Pillars?
Select the TWO that are among the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam.
- Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca
- Sawm, fasting during Ramadan
- Khums, a share of savings given by Shi'a Muslims
- Tawalla, loving the Prophet's family
The Shahadah, shared by all
The Shahadah is the first thing a Muslim believes, and the words a new Muslim says to enter the faith. It declares that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is his messenger. It matters to both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, which is why every other duty, whether the Five Pillars or the Ten Obligatory Acts, rests on it. The importance of sincere faith is stressed in the Qur'an (Surah 3:17-21).
Complete the picture
Most Muslims are _____ and keep the Five Pillars. The first pillar, the _____, declares faith in one God, Allah. Praying five times a day is called _____, and fasting in Ramadan is called _____. _____ Muslims instead keep the Ten Obligatory Acts, which add extra duties such as Khums.
Order the Five Pillars
Put the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam in their usual order.
- Shahadah: declare faith in Allah and his messenger
- Salah: pray five times a day
- Zakah: give a share of wealth to the needy
- Sawm: fast during Ramadan
- Hajj: make the pilgrimage to Mecca
Who keeps the Ten Obligatory Acts?
Which branch of Islam keeps the Ten Obligatory Acts?
- Shi'a Muslims
- Sunni Muslims
- Only new converts to Islam
- No Muslims keep them today
Spot the Shi'a acts
The Ten Obligatory Acts include duties not named among the Five Pillars. Tap the TWO that are extra Shi'a Obligatory Acts.
- Khums, giving one fifth of certain savings.
- Salah, praying five times a day.
- Tawalla, showing love for the Prophet's family.
- Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
- Sawm, fasting during Ramadan.
Name the practice
For each description, choose the practice it names.
- A Muslim says the words declaring that there is one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is his messenger. Which pillar is this?
- A Muslim gives a set share of their wealth each year to help those in need. Which pillar is this?
- A Shi'a Muslim carries out a duty not in the Five Pillars: giving one fifth of certain savings. What is it?
Explain the Shahadah
Explain the meaning and importance of the Shahadah for Muslims. Refer to both Sunni and Shi'a Islam.
- State what the Shahadah declares
- Explain why it is the first pillar and the entry into the faith
- Explain why it matters to both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims
- Show how the other duties depend on this belief