The Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts
Think of the Five Pillars as the backbone of Muslim life - they're the non-negotiable practices that define what it means to be Muslim. Every Muslim worldwide, regardless of where they live, follows these same five fundamental duties.
Shi'a Muslims take things a step further with the Ten Obligatory Acts, which include most of the Five Pillars plus five additional responsibilities. This shows how different branches of Islam can have variations whilst keeping the core practices intact.
The five essential pillars are: Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakah (charitable giving), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). These aren't just religious rituals - they shape how Muslims live, spend their money, and connect with their community every single day.
Quick Fact: The Shi'a additions include Jihad (defending Islam), Khums (a 20% tax), encouraging good deeds, discouraging evil, showing love for God, and rejecting God's enemies.