A Muslim has five primary responsibilities to God Almighty, and these are referred to as the
Five Pillars of Islam. These are:
- Shahdah or Affirmation that there is only one God, without any partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
- Salaat or Daily Obligatory Prayers to be offered five times a day. These prayers are offered at the time of dawn (Fajr), at noontime (Zuhr), late afternoon (Asr), immediately after sunset (Maghrib), and at nighttime (Ish'a). Although it is preferred, and the reward is much greater if the prayers are offered at a Mosque, but one is allowed to offer them at home, at his place of work, at the airport or anywhere else. On Fridays, in lieu of the regular noon prayers, congregational prayers are offered after a sermon has been delivered by the Imam (Minister). In order to make an announcement of the time for each prayer, Adhan or a call for prayers is made. Before offering prayers, Muslims are required to perform 'Wadhu' or Ablution. Ablution is an act of purifying one's self prior to appearing before the Creator. It consists of Cleaning one's mouth and nose, and washing one's hands, face, fore arms and feet with water.
- Zakaat or Poor Due: It is an annual tax of 2.5 percent on a Muslim's savings that he did not use for his needs during the past twelve months, and on certain business assets.
- Saum or Fasting During the Month of Ramadhan: Muslims are obligated to fast from dawn till sunset for each day of the entire month of Ramadhan, the 9th lunar month, by abstaining from eating, drinking any fluids, smoking, and sexual contact. Those who are sick, or traveling, pregnant or nursing a baby are excused from fasting during the month but are required to make up for the lost days later on. The observance of the Ramdhan starts with sighting of the new moon for the 9th month, and ends with sighting of new moon for the following month. Consequently, Ramadhan lasts for 29 or 30 days. Since a lunar year is 10 days shorter than the solar year, a Muslim gets to observe the month of Ramdhan at different times of the year in his/her life time. The conclusion of the Ramdhan is marked by a day of celebration or feast, Eid-ul-Fitr.
- Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah: In the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is the Islam's holiest shrine, The Ka'aba. This cubicle structure was the first house of worship built by Prophet Adam on this planet, was destroyed by the flood during the time of Prophet Noah, and rebuilt by prophet Abraham with his son Ishmael. Muslims all over the world turn towards the Ka'aba at the time of daily prayers. Hajj includes a visit to the Ka'aba, and to other holy sites in and around the city of Mecca. Every Muslim who has the financial means and is physically capable of traveling is required to perform Hajj once in his lifetime. In conjunction with the observance of Hajj, Muslims throughout the world sacrifice animals to commemorate the tradition of Prophet Abraham, when he made the ultimate sacrifice by attempting to slaughter his first born son (Ishmael) in order to carry out God's command. This day of celebration or feast is called Eid-ul-Adha.