Islam: Practices

What you'll learn

This guide covers the essential practices of Islam required for OCR GCSE Religious Studies. You'll explore the Five Pillars, daily worship, festivals, and pilgrimage, understanding both Sunni and Shi'a perspectives where they differ. Each section focuses on testable content with exam-relevant examples to maximise your grade.

Key terms and definitions

Shahadah — The declaration of faith stating "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah"; the first of the Five Pillars.

Salah — The obligatory prayer performed five times daily by Muslims facing Makkah (Mecca); the second of the Five Pillars.

Zakah — Compulsory charity giving 2.5% of wealth annually to help those in need; the third of the Five Pillars.

Sawm — Fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; the fourth of the Five Pillars.

Hajj — The pilgrimage to Makkah that every Muslim must undertake at least once if physically and financially able; the fifth of the Five Pillars.

Wudu — The ritual washing performed before prayer to achieve spiritual purity.

Jummah — Friday congregational prayer, obligatory for Muslim men, when the imam delivers a sermon (khutbah).

Id-ul-Fitr — The festival celebrating the end of Ramadan, marked by special prayers, charity, and family gatherings.

Core concepts

The Five Pillars of Islam (Sunni perspective)

The Five Pillars form the foundation of Muslim worship and practice. They unite Muslims worldwide through common acts of devotion to Allah.

1. Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)

The Shahadah is recited in Arabic: "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah."

Key features:

• Whispered into a newborn's ear
• Recited during daily prayers
• Spoken on the deathbed
• Must be said with sincere belief and understanding
• Declaring the Shahadah in front of witnesses marks conversion to Islam

Significance:

• Affirms Tawhid (the oneness of Allah)
• Recognises Muhammad as the final prophet
• Unites all Muslims in shared belief
• First step in submission to Allah's will

2. Salah (Prayer)

Muslims perform Salah five times daily: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).

Preparation:

• Wudu must be performed beforehand
• Muslims face the qibla (direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah)
• Prayer mat often used to maintain cleanliness
• Appropriate modest clothing must be worn

Structure of Salah:

• Includes rak'ahs (cycles of movement and recitation)
• Begins standing with "Allahu Akbar" (God is the greatest)
• Involves bowing (ruku) and prostration (sujud)
• Recitation from the Qur'an, especially Surah al-Fatihah
• Ends with turning head right then left saying "As-salamu alaykum" (peace be upon you)

Significance:

• Direct communication with Allah
• Regular reminder of faith throughout the day
• Demonstrates submission and obedience
• Strengthens Muslim community (ummah) through shared practice

3. Zakah (Almsgiving)

Zakah requires Muslims to give 2.5% of their annual savings to those in need.

Who receives Zakah:

• The poor and needy
• Those in debt
• Travellers in difficulty
• Those working to collect and distribute Zakah
• Recent converts to Islam
• Those fighting in Allah's cause

Significance:

• Purifies wealth and the giver's soul
• Reduces inequality in society
• Reminds Muslims that wealth belongs to Allah
• Tests self-discipline and generosity
• Creates a fairer society

Difference from Sadaqah:

• Sadaqah is voluntary charity given at any time
• Zakah is obligatory and calculated specifically

4. Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan)

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib).

What fasting involves:

• No eating or drinking
• No smoking
• No sexual relations
• Avoiding sinful behaviour, gossip, and negative thoughts
• Increased prayer, Qur'an reading, and charity

Exemptions:

• Young children (before puberty)
• Elderly or chronically ill
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating women
• Travellers on long journeys
• Those who are ill (should make up days later or feed the poor)

Significance:

• Develops self-control and spiritual discipline
• Increases empathy for those suffering poverty and hunger
• Commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to Muhammad
• Strengthens community bonds through shared experience
• The Night of Power (Lailat al-Qadr) falls during Ramadan, when the Qur'an was first revealed

5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah)

Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Key rituals:

• Ihram: Entering a state of spiritual purity; men wear two white unsewn cloths, women wear simple modest clothing
• Tawaf: Circling the Ka'bah seven times anticlockwise
• Sa'i: Walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorating Hajar's search for water
• Standing at Arafat: Praying from noon to sunset on the plain of Arafat (most important ritual)
• Muzdalifah: Collecting pebbles and spending the night in prayer
• Rami: Throwing pebbles at three pillars representing Satan's temptations
• Id-ul-Adha: Sacrificing an animal to remember Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son
• Final Tawaf: Circling the Ka'bah as a farewell

Significance:

• Fulfils a fundamental religious duty
• Demonstrates submission to Allah
• Unites Muslims from all backgrounds in equality (all wear simple clothing)
• Follows in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad
• Commemorates Ibrahim, Hajar, and Isma'il
• Sins are forgiven, providing spiritual renewal

The Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi'a perspective)

Shi'a Muslims follow the Ten Obligatory Acts, which include the Five Pillars plus additional practices:

Additional practices:

• Khums: Giving 20% of surplus income (instead of only 2.5% Zakah)
• Jihad: Struggling to follow Islam and defend the faith
• Amr-bil-Maroof: Encouraging good actions
• Nahi Anil Munkar: Discouraging wrongdoing
• Tawalla: Showing love for Allah and good people
• Tabarra: Disassociating from Allah's enemies

Jummah Prayer

Friday congregational prayer is obligatory for Muslim men and recommended for women.

Structure:

• Replaces the regular Zuhr prayer
• Must be performed in congregation (jamaah)
• Imam delivers two sermons (khutbah) before prayer
• Sermons address religious teaching and community issues
• Reinforces unity of the ummah

Significance:

• Strengthens community bonds
• Provides religious education and guidance
• Muslims dress in best clothes, showing respect
• Opportunity to hear the Qur'an recited and explained

Festivals

Id-ul-Fitr

Celebrated at the end of Ramadan on the first day of Shawwal.

Celebrations:

• Special communal prayers in the morning
• Wearing new or best clothes
• Giving Zakah-ul-Fitr (charity before Id prayers)
• Visiting family and friends
• Sharing meals and gifts
• Decorating homes

Significance:

• Thanks Allah for strength during Ramadan
• Celebrates achievement of self-discipline
• Reinforces community and family bonds
• Ensures everyone can celebrate through charity

Id-ul-Adha

The "Festival of Sacrifice" falls on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah during Hajj.

Celebrations:

• Special prayers at mosque
• Sacrificing an animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel)
• Dividing meat into three: family, friends, and the poor
• Visiting relatives
• Giving gifts to children

Significance:

• Commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Isma'il
• Celebrates obedience to Allah's command
• Demonstrates commitment to sacrifice for Allah
• Shares blessings with those less fortunate

Ashura

The 10th day of Muharram has different significance for Sunni and Shi'a Muslims.

Sunni observance:

• Voluntary fasting to remember Allah saving Musa (Moses) from Pharaoh
• Time for prayer and reflection

Shi'a observance:

• Mourns the martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala (680 CE)
• Processions and passion plays re-enacting events
• Some perform acts of self-flagellation to share Husayn's suffering
• Emphasises standing against injustice

Jihad (Struggle)

Greater Jihad:

• Internal spiritual struggle against sin and temptation
• Personal effort to improve one's character
• Daily effort to follow Islamic teachings
• Most important form of jihad according to most scholars

Lesser Jihad:

• Physical struggle or holy war
• Defending Islam when under attack
• Strict rules: no harming civilians, no destroying crops or buildings, must be declared by legitimate authority
• Controversial in modern contexts

Contemporary relevance:

• Jihad misunderstood and misused by extremist groups
• Most Muslims emphasise peaceful struggle
• Applies to social justice, education, and community service

Worked examples

Example 1: 4-mark question

Question: Explain two ways in which performing Hajj might influence Muslims. (4 marks)

Model answer:

One way Hajj influences Muslims is by strengthening their faith and commitment to Allah. By completing this demanding pilgrimage, Muslims feel spiritually renewed and closer to Allah, often describing it as the most profound religious experience of their lives. This may lead them to be more dedicated to following Islamic teachings daily.

Another way Hajj influences Muslims is by increasing their sense of unity with the global ummah. During Hajj, Muslims from all nations, ethnicities, and backgrounds worship together wearing identical simple clothing, experiencing equality before Allah. This experience often makes pilgrims more tolerant and aware of their shared identity with Muslims worldwide.

Mark scheme guidance:

• 2 marks per point (1 mark for identification, 1 mark for development)
• Must explain influence, not just describe rituals
• Development should show specific impact on beliefs or behaviour

Example 2: 5-mark question

Question: "Zakah is the most important of the Five Pillars." Evaluate this statement. (5 marks)

Model answer:

Some Muslims would agree because Zakah has practical benefits that directly help people in need. Unlike other pillars which are primarily personal acts of worship, Zakah creates a fairer society by redistributing wealth to the poor, homeless, and those in debt. This fulfils Islam's emphasis on social justice and compassion, making real differences to people's lives. The Qur'an repeatedly links prayer with charity, showing their equal importance.

However, others would argue that Shahadah is most important as it is the foundation of Muslim identity. Without believing the Shahadah, a person is not Muslim and the other pillars become meaningless. The declaration of faith must come first and underpins all other practices. Similarly, Salah could be seen as most important because it is performed five times daily, constantly reinforcing the Muslim's relationship with Allah and demonstrating submission.

In conclusion, while Zakah is vitally important for creating a just society, the Shahadah is arguably more fundamental as the basis of Islamic faith itself.

Mark scheme guidance:

• Must present more than one viewpoint
• Include religious reasoning and evidence
• Reach a justified conclusion
• 5 marks for well-developed argument with multiple perspectives

Example 3: 1-mark question

Question: Which pillar of Islam involves giving 2.5% of wealth to charity? (1 mark)

Model answer:

Zakah

Mark scheme guidance:

• Single word or short phrase sufficient
• Correct spelling important for technical terms

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing Zakah and Sadaqah: Remember that Zakah is obligatory charity with a specific amount (2.5%), while Sadaqah is voluntary charity given at any time in any amount.

• Describing rituals without explaining significance: Don't just list what happens during Hajj or Salah. Always explain why these practices matter to Muslims and how they affect beliefs or behaviour.

• Ignoring Sunni/Shi'a differences: Be aware that Shi'a Muslims follow Ten Obligatory Acts (including Khums at 20%) rather than only Five Pillars. Mention the relevant perspective if appropriate.

• Spelling key terms incorrectly: Practice spelling Arabic terms correctly: Salah (not Salat or Salat), Qur'an (not Koran), Zakah (not Zakat). Marks may be lost for misspelling.

• Writing everything you know: In 4-mark or 5-mark questions, focus on quality over quantity. Two well-developed points score higher than five undeveloped ones.

• Not using specific religious terminology: Use precise terms like "ummah," "Tawhid," "rak'ah," and "qibla" to demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding.

Exam technique for "Islam: Practices"

• Command words matter: "Describe" requires factual account; "Explain" needs reasons and impact; "Evaluate" demands different viewpoints with justified conclusion. Adjust your answer accordingly.

• Use the mark scheme to plan: For 4-mark questions, make two developed points (2+2). For 5-mark evaluations, present multiple perspectives with religious reasoning and conclude.

• Quote or reference sacred texts: Mentioning that "the Qur'an commands Muslims to perform Salah" or "the Hadith records Muhammad's practices during Hajj" demonstrates deeper knowledge.

• Apply practices to modern contexts: Consider how Muslims in the UK practice their faith, such as adjusting prayer times around work schedules or organizing community iftars (fast-breaking meals) during Ramadan.

Quick revision summary

The Five Pillars (Sunni) or Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi'a) structure Muslim worship. Shahadah declares faith in Allah and Muhammad. Salah maintains daily connection with Allah through five prayers. Zakah (2.5% or Khums 20%) supports the poor. Sawm during Ramadan builds self-discipline and empathy. Hajj unites Muslims in pilgrimage to Makkah. Jummah strengthens weekly community bonds. Id-ul-Fitr celebrates Ramadan's end; Id-ul-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's sacrifice. These practices demonstrate submission to Allah and create a cohesive global ummah.