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The Shahadah is the declaration of faith or the key statement of belief of Muslims. Muslims are expected to know the declaration of faith.

The Shahadah is usually said a few times each day. It is said at birth as the first words a baby hears, and Muslims aim for these to be the last words they say before death. The Shahadah forms the foundation of the other four pillars.

A non-Muslim can convert to Islam by saying the Shahadah and meaning it sincerely.

Salah

The Salah are the five daily prayers, which can be done anywhere. Each of the prayers is performed at a specific time of day:

• Fajr - just before sunrise
• Zuhr - just after midday
• Asr - late afternoon
• Maghrib - just after sunset
• Isha - between sunset and midnight

At the mosque, men and women pray in separate rooms while performing a series of movements in a sequence. This involves bowing and kneeling as well as prostration and reciting praises to God.

Salah encourages self-discipline and keeps Muslims in close contact with Allah. It is a sign of solidarity with all other Muslims and it shows that everyone is equal in their worship of God.

Preparing for prayer

1. They perform a washing ritual (Wudu) so that they are spiritually clean. Mosques have washrooms where this washing can be performed. The ritual involves washing faces, hands and feet under running water. If water is not available, sand or dust can be used. This is seen as a sign of spiritual washing.
2. They face the city of Makkah. In a mosque, the mihrab marks the direction of prayer. If a person is praying outside a mosque, a compass on a prayer mat can be used.
3. Niyyah - a conscious intention to pray. Prayer starts with a declaration of niyyah, showing that the worshipper is making an intentional effort to set time aside to communicate with God.

Differences between Sunni and Shi’a practices

Sunni Muslims only combine the five daily prayers if they have a good reason to, for example if they are travelling.

Shi'a Muslims have more freedom to combine certain prayers, such as the midday and afternoon prayers. Therefore they may only pray three times a day.

Shi’a Muslims also often use natural elements when praying. For example, some place a piece of clay at the spot where their head will rest.

The movements that Sunni and Shi’a Muslims make during prayer can also differ.

Jummah

Jummah refers to communal prayers held on a Friday just after noon at a mosque. Getting together is meant to develop the feeling of unity among the Muslim community.

The imam gives two sermons and a series of ������’a��s is performed. Men are obliged to go to Jummah unless they are ill or too old to attend. Women do not have to go to Jummah and instead may choose to pray at home.