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The Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts

Five duties shape a Sunni Muslim's life, while Shi'a Muslims keep ten obligatory acts. Meet the Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, see how Sunni and Shi'a practice compares, and weigh Muslim prayer against Christian worship.

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What you'll cover

Living the Muslim life ☪️

Five great duties shape the life of a **Sunni** Muslim, the **Five Pillars**. **Shi'a** Muslims keep a longer list, the **Ten Obligatory Acts**. Both share the same heart: the **Shahadah**, the declaration of faith. This module explores the pillars, compares Sunni and Shi'a practice, and weighs Muslim **Salah** against **Christian worship**.

The Five Pillars 🔑

Sunni Islam rests on five duties:

Match each pillar to its meaning 🔗

  • Shahadah
  • Salah
  • Zakah
  • Hajj
  • The declaration of faith in Allah and the Prophet Muhammad
  • Ritual prayer performed five times a day
  • Giving 2.5% of surplus wealth to those in need
  • The pilgrimage to Makkah made once in a lifetime

What is the Shahadah? 📜

What is the Shahadah?

  • The declaration that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Messenger
  • The pilgrimage to Makkah
  • The fast during the month of Ramadan
  • The giving of alms to the poor

Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts ⚖️

Sunni and Shi'a Muslims share the same core practices but organise them differently.

Which are the Five Pillars? ✅

Select the TWO that are among the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam.

  • Salah, ritual prayer
  • Hajj, the pilgrimage
  • Khums, a one-fifth payment
  • Jihad, the struggle

Salah and Christian worship 🕌

Salah can be compared with worship in Christianity. Both set aside regular, structured time for God, yet they differ in rhythm and form.

The Shahadah, shared by all 🤲

The **Shahadah** is the declaration of faith: that there is no god but **Allah**, and that the Prophet **Muhammad** is his Messenger. Saying and believing it sincerely is what makes a person a Muslim. It is central to **both** Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, and stands behind every other practice. The Qur'an urges believers to keep up prayer, which restrains them from wrongdoing, Surah 29:45.

Complete the picture 🧩

The first pillar is the _____, the declaration of faith. Muslims pray, a duty called _____, five times a day, and fast during Ramadan, a duty called _____. They give _____ of their surplus wealth to the poor. Once in a lifetime, those who are able make the _____ to Makkah.

Shahadah Salah Sawm zakah Hajj Khums Jihad wudu worship mosque

Order the Five Pillars 🪜

An interactive activity.

The Shi'a obligatory acts 🌙

Select the TWO acts kept among the Shi'a Ten Obligatory Acts that are NOT one of the Sunni Five Pillars.

  • Khums, a payment of one fifth of certain income
  • Jihad, the struggle in the way of Allah
  • Salah, ritual prayer
  • Hajj, the pilgrimage

Spot the true statements 🖍️

An interactive activity.

Name the practice 🧭

An interactive activity.

Salah and Christian worship ✍️

An interactive activity.