(a) The five pillars of Islam

(i) Kalimat Ush Shahadah
 This is the declaration that Allah is the only true God and Mohammed is His messenger.
• It is the first Pillar of Islam.
• One can only become and remain as a Muslim only by declaring this faith
• It is repeated five times at the Islamic call to prayer
• A Muslim declares this when he or she wakes up and before he or she sleeps
• Shahadah allows a Muslim to declare to the whole world that there is only one God
• it also makes a Muslim remain faithful to Allah

(ii) Salat
• There are five daily prayers by Muslims. It is the second Pillar of Islam.
• Before salat is done one must perform ablution ( the ritual cleansing of some parts of the body like the hand, feet, face, etc with water). Tayammum is performed in the absence of water especially in the desert with fine dust.
• Salat consists of (Fajr-5:00am to 5:30am, Zuhr- 1:00pm to 1:30pm, Asr-3:00pm to 3:30pm, Magrib- 6:00pm to 6:30pm and Isha– 7:00pm to late night)
• It follows prescribed procedure and times. For example the Muslim must face the East “Qibla” and follow regulated postures like standing, sitting and kneeling
• Muslims can worship together in a mosque or as individuals anywhere. But it is believed that the prayers said at the mosques bring special blessings to them.
• Salat allows a Muslim to get blessings from Allah
• It also strengthens the spiritual bond between Allah and Muslims

(iii) Zakat-
• This is the act of giving alms to the poor and needy like orphans, the sick, the aged, the disabled men and women.
• It is the third Pillar of Islam.
• A wealthy Muslim must give at least 2.5% of his /her wealth to the poor.
• The items can be in cash or kind.
• Allah demands from every Muslim to do good to people, especially the poor and needy.
• It is believed by Muslims that it purifies the giver and drives away evil.
• Zakat unites the rich and the poor
• It reduces extreme poverty in the society
• It also reduces crimes which usually results from poverty.

(iv) Saun-
• This is fasting in the month of Ramadan for a period of about thirty (30) days.
• It is the fourth Pillar of Islam
• The Muslim must wake up early at dawn and take meals before sunrise and break the fast at 6:00 pm.
• Pregnant women, babies, menstruating women, travelers and very old people etc are exempted from this. Menstruating women must do it when their period ends.
• A Muslim during this period must refrain from some acts such as sex, fights, etc.
• It makes them calm and sober
• It also draws them to Allah

(v) Hajj-
• This is the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
• It is fifth Pillar of Islam.
• A Muslim is to embark on this journey at least once in a life time.
• At Mecca, the Muslim performs some ritual like going round the Ka’aba seven times and throwing stones.
• It increases a Muslim’s faith in Allah.
• It also brings special blessings from Allah.

(b) Reasons why Muslims worship

(i) Islamic worship draws them to Allah
(ii) It paves way for Muslims to receive Allah’s blessings
(iii) It leads them to Heaven.
(iv) It makes Muslims live righteous lives
(v) It shows obedience to Allah.
(vi) It fosters unity among them.
(vii) It teaches Muslims Allah’s laws.
(viii) It drives evil away from them.