The Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts
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 🪜
An interactive activity.
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 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Name the practice 🔀
An interactive activity.
Explain the Shahadah ✍️
An interactive activity.