This topic covers the practical acts of worship in Islam and Islamic morals. It includes Taharah (purity – Wudu, Ghusl, Tayammum), detailed Salah (conditions, pillars, Witr, Nafl, Jumu'ah, Eid, Janaza...
Definition and Importance
Linguistically: Taharah means cleanliness and purification.
Islamically: Taharah means removing physical impurities (like urine, feces, blood) and ritual impurities (like Janabah – state after marital relations or ejaculation) to perform acts of worship like Salah.
Importance:
Purity is half of faith (as the Prophet ﷺ said).
Salah is not accepted without purity.
The Quran states: "Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222)
The Three Types of Purification
| Type | Name | When Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wudu (وضو) | For Salah, Tawaf, touching the Quran | Washing specific body parts with water |
| 2 | Ghusl (غسل) | After Janabah (sexual relations, ejaculation), after menstruation, after post-childbirth bleeding | Full body bath with water |
| 3 | Tayammum (تیمم) | When water is unavailable or using water harms health | Dry purification using clean dust/soil |
Detailed: Wudu (Ablution)
Fard (Obligatory) Acts of Wudu (4):
| # | Act | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washing the face (from hairline to chin, ear to ear) | "O you who believe, when you rise for prayer, wash your faces..." (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:6) |
| 2 | Washing both arms up to the elbows | Same verse |
| 3 | Wiping the head (at least part of it) | Same verse |
| 4 | Washing both feet up to the ankles | Same verse |
Sunnah Acts of Wudu (Recommended):
Saying "Bismillah" at the beginning
Rinsing the mouth (Madmadah)
Rinsing the nose (Istinshaq)
Wiping the ears
Washing three times each part
Brushing teeth (Miswak)
Doing Wudu in order
Nullifiers of Wudu (Things that break Wudu):
Anything exiting from the front or back passage (urine, feces, gas)
Deep sleep (lying down or leaning)
Loss of consciousness (fainting, madness, intoxication)
Touching private parts with bare hand (opinion of many scholars)
Eating camel meat (according to some schools)
Apostasy (leaving Islam)
Detailed: Ghusl (Full Body Bath)
When is Ghusl Obligatory (Fard)?
| # | Situation |
|---|---|
| 1 | After sexual intercourse (even without ejaculation) |
| 2 | After ejaculation (wet dream or otherwise) |
| 3 | After menstruation (Hayd) ends |
| 4 | After post-childbirth bleeding (Nifas) ends |
Fard Acts of Ghusl (3):
Rinsing the mouth
Rinsing the nose
Washing the entire body with water (from head to toe)
Sunnah Acts of Ghusl:
Washing hands three times first
Washing private parts
Performing Wudu first (except feet)
Pouring water over the head three times
Rubbing the body
Detailed: Tayammum (Dry Purification)
When is Tayammum Permitted?
| # | Situation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Water is not available (within 1 mile radius) |
| 2 | Using water will harm health (sickness, injury) |
| 3 | Water is needed for drinking (to save a life) |
| 4 | Water is too cold and cannot be warmed |
How to Perform Tayammum (Step by Step):
Intend (Niyyah) for Tayammum
Strike the clean dust/soil with both palms
Wipe the face once
Strike again (optional in some schools)
Wipe both hands up to the wrists
What Nullifies Tayammum?
Anything that nullifies Wudu
When water becomes available
Definition and Importance
Definition: Salah is a specific set of actions and recitations performed at prescribed times, beginning with Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and ending with Tasleem (Salam), facing the Qiblah.
Importance:
Salah is the second pillar of Islam (after Shahadah)
It distinguishes a Muslim from a disbeliever
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The covenant between us and them is Salah; whoever abandons it has become a disbeliever." (Tirmidhi)
Conditions of Salah (Shurut – 9 conditions before starting)
| # | Condition | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islam | Only a Muslim is required to pray |
| 2 | Sanity (`Aql) | An insane person is not accountable | | |
| 3 | Puberty (Bulugh) | Children are not obligated |
| 4 | Purity (Taharah) | Free from Hadath (Wudu/Ghusl) and Najasah (physical impurities) |
| 5 | Covering Awrah | Men: navel to knees; Women: whole body except face and hands |
| 6 | Time (Waqt) | Each prayer in its prescribed time |
| 7 | Facing Qiblah | Towards the Kaaba in Makkah |
| 8 | Intention (Niyyah) | In the heart (not spoken aloud) |
| 9 | Avoiding impurities | Body, clothes, and place of prayer must be pure |
Pillars of Salah (Arkan – 14 essential acts)
| # | Pillar | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standing (Qiyam) | If physically able |
| 2 | Opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram) | Saying "Allahu Akbar" to begin |
| 3 | Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah | In every rak'ah |
| 4 | Bowing (Ruku') | At least once per rak'ah |
| 5 | Rising from Ruku' (I'tidal) | Standing straight after bowing |
| 6 | Prostrating (Sajdah) | Forehead, nose, palms, knees, toes on ground |
| 7 | Rising from Sajdah (Jalsah) | Sitting between two prostrations |
| 8 | Sitting for Tashahhud | The final sitting |
| 9 | Reciting Tashahhud | At the final sitting |
| 10 | Sending blessings on the Prophet (Salawat) | At the final sitting |
| 11 | First Tasleem | Saying "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" to the right |
| 12 | Second Tasleem | Saying to the left |
| 13 | Order (Tarteeb) | Performing pillars in correct order |
| 14 | Tranquility (Tuma'ninah) | Being still in each position |
Types of Salah (Complete Classification)
| Type | Ruling | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fard (Obligatory) | Major sin to leave | The 5 daily prayers, Jumu'ah (for men), Janazah (funeral) | Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha |
| Wajib (Necessary) | Sin to leave (Hanafi) | Slightly below Fard | Witr, Eid prayer |
| Sunnah Mu'akkadah | Highly emphasized | Prophet never left without excuse | 12 rawatib daily |
| Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah | Optional | No sin to leave | 4 before Asr, 2 before Maghrib |
| Nafl (Voluntary) | Extra reward | No sin to leave | Tahajjud, Duha, Ishraq |
| Qada (Make-up) | Obligatory | Making up missed prayers | Any missed Fard prayer |
Detailed: Witr Prayer
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of rak'ahs | 1 or 3 (most common: 3) |
| Time | After Isha prayer until Fajr |
| Ruling (Hanafi) | Wajib |
| Ruling (Shafi'i/Maliki/Hanbali) | Sunnah Mu'akkadah |
| Special feature | Qunut (supplication) recited in the last rak'ah |
| Dua al-Qunut | "Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt..." (O Allah, guide me among those You have guided) |
Detailed: Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ruling | Fard 'Ayn (individual obligation) on men |
| Time | Replaces Dhuhr prayer on Friday |
| Number of rak'ahs | 2 (instead of 4 for Dhuhr) |
| Conditions | Minimum 3 men (or 40 according to some schools), Khutbah (sermon) before prayer |
| Who is exempt? | Women, children, travelers, sick – can pray Dhuhr instead |
Procedure of Jumu'ah:
First Adhan
Khutbah (sermon) – two parts
Second Adhan (or Iqamah)
Two rak'ahs of Jumu'ah prayer
Sunnah prayer after (4 or 2 rak'ahs)
Detailed: Eid Prayer
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ruling | Sunnah Mu'akkadah (or Wajib in Hanafi) |
| Number of rak'ahs | 2 |
| Time | After sunrise until before Dhuhr on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha |
| Special features | 3 extra Takbirs in first rak'ah (after opening Takbir) + 3 extra Takbirs in second rak'ah (before bowing) |
| Khutbah | After the prayer (not before like Jumu'ah) |
| Who is exempt? | Same as Jumu'ah (women recommended but not obligatory) |
Detailed: Janazah (Funeral Prayer)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ruling | Fard Kifayah (communal obligation) – if some perform, all are absolved |
| Number of Takbirs | 4 (in Hanafi school) |
| Rak'ahs | None – standing only |
| Body condition | Must be washed (Ghusl), shrouded (Kafan), and placed in front of the imam |
Procedure:
Intention
First Takbir – recite Surah Al-Fatihah
Second Takbir – send blessings on Prophet ﷺ (Salawat)
Third Takbir – supplication (Du'a) for the deceased
Fourth Takbir – Tasleem (Salam) to right (and left according to some)
Definition and Importance
Linguistically: Zakat means "purification" and "growth."
Islamically: Giving a fixed portion of wealth (usually 2.5%) annually to specific deserving categories.
Importance:
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam
Denying Zakat is disbelief
Withholding Zakat is a major sin
The Quran states: "Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:103)
Nisab (Minimum Threshold)
Zakat becomes obligatory when wealth remains above the Nisab for one lunar year (Hawl).
| Standard | Weight | Approx. Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Nisab | 87.48 grams | $5,500 – $6,000 |
| Silver Nisab | 612.36 grams | $500 – $600 |
Note: Many scholars today prefer silver Nisab to include more people in giving Zakat.
Zakat Rates on Different Types of Wealth
| Type of Wealth | Zakat Rate | Additional Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Gold, silver, cash, savings, shares | 2.5% | One lunar year passes (Hawl) |
| Trade goods / business inventory | 2.5% | Calculated at market value |
| Agricultural produce | 5% (irrigated) / 10% (rain-fed) | Due at harvest; no Hawl required |
| Livestock | Sliding scale | Detailed tables exist |
| Minerals / treasure (Rikaz) | 20% | Immediate; no Nisab or Hawl |
| Rental income | 2.5% | After expenses, if Nisab is met |
The Eight Categories of Zakat Recipients (Quran 9:60)
| # | Category | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Fuqara' | The poor | Have some wealth but less than Nisab |
| 2 | Al-Masakin | The needy | More destitute than the poor |
| 3 | Al-'Amilina | Zakat collectors | Salaries of official collectors |
| 4 | Al-Mu'allafat al-Qulub | Those whose hearts are to be reconciled | New Muslims, influential non-Muslims |
| 5 | Ar-Riqab | Freeing slaves | To purchase slaves for emancipation |
| 6 | Al-Gharimin | The indebted | Overwhelmed by debt |
| 7 | Fi Sabilillah | In the cause of Allah | Traveler, dawah, defensive jihad |
| 8 | Ibn as-Sabil | The traveler | Who ran out of expenses |
Prohibited from receiving Zakat:
Parents, children, spouse (supporting them is obligatory)
Non-Muslims (except category #4)
The wealthy (except the indebted)
The Prophet's family (Banu Hashim)
Definition and Importance
Linguistically: Sawm means "to refrain."
Islamically: To refrain from eating, drinking, marital relations, and all invalidating actions from true dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) with intention.
Importance:
Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam
Made obligatory in 2 AH
Types of Fasting
| Type | Ruling | Description | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fard (Obligatory) | Mandatory | Fasting the month of Ramadan | Every year in Ramadan |
| Qada (Make-up) | Obligatory | Making up missed Ramadan fasts | Any day after Ramadan (before next Ramadan) |
| Kaffarah (Expiation) | Obligatory | For deliberately breaking a fast by intercourse | 60 consecutive days OR feed 60 poor people |
| Fidyah (Compensation) | Obligatory | For those who cannot fast permanently (elderly, chronically ill) | Feed one poor person per missed fast |
| Nafl (Voluntary) | Optional (reward only) | Extra fasts for reward | Any day except forbidden days (Eid, etc.) |
Examples of Nafl Fasts:
Mondays and Thursdays
13th, 14th, 15th of each lunar month (White Days)
Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah)
Day of Ashura (10th Muharram)
Six days of Shawwal
Things that Invalidate the Fast
| Action | Ruling | Expiation |
|---|---|---|
| Eating or drinking deliberately | Qada (1 day) | None (just Qada) |
| Deliberate vomiting | Qada | None |
| Marital relations while fasting | Qada + Kaffarah | Free a slave OR fast 60 consecutive days OR feed 60 poor |
| Menstruation / post-childbirth bleeding | Qada (make up later) | None (forbidden to fast during this time) |
| Deliberate ejaculation | Qada | None |
Does NOT break the fast:
Eating or drinking forgetfully
Swallowing saliva or dust
Blood test, injection (non-nutritional)
Miswak or brushing teeth (without swallowing water)
Definition and Importance
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Makkah during specific days of Dhul-Hijjah (8th to 13th). It is the fifth pillar of Islam – once in a lifetime for those who are able.
Umrah: Pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. It is Sunnah (or Wajib according to some scholars).
Differences Between Hajj and Umrah
| Feature | Hajj | Umrah |
|---|---|---|
| Ruling | Fard (once in lifetime for those who can) | Sunnah (or Wajib according to some) |
| Time | Specific days (8th-13th Dhul-Hijjah) | Any time of the year |
| Duration | 5-6 days | 2-3 hours (approx.) |
| Rites | Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, Wuquf at Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Jamarat, Hadi (sacrifice), Halq/Taqsir | Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, Halq/Taqsir |
| Wuquf at Arafah | Required (pillar of Hajj) | Not required |
| Stoning (Ramy) | Required | Not required |
| Sacrifice (Hadi) | Required (for Tamattu' and Qiran) | Not required |
The Three Types of Hajj
| Type | Definition | Umrah and Hajj | Hadi (Sacrifice) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ifrad (Alone) | Hajj only, no Umrah | Separate | Not required |
| Qiran (Combined) | Umrah and Hajj together in one Ihram | Both in one Ihram | Required |
| Tamattu' (Enjoyment) | Umrah first (during Hajj months), exit Ihram, then new Ihram for Hajj | Two separate actions | Required |
Most common and most virtuous: Hajj Tamattu' (the Prophet ﷺ performed this)
Key Rituals of Hajj (Step by Step)
| Day | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Before 8th Dhul-Hijjah | Ihram | Enter state of consecration. Men: two white cloths. Avoid perfume, hunting, marital relations, cutting hair/nails. |
| 8th Dhul-Hijjah (Tarwiyah) | Go to Mina | Spend day and night in prayer and supplication. |
| 9th Dhul-Hijjah | Arafah (Wuquf) | Stand in the plain of Arafat from noon until sunset. "Hajj is Arafah." |
| Night of 9th-10th | Muzdalifah | Combine Maghrib and Isha. Collect pebbles for Jamarat. |
| 10th Dhul-Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) | Ramy al-Jamarat | Throw 7 pebbles at the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah). |
| 10th Dhul-Hijjah | Hadi (Sacrifice) | Slaughter an animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel). |
| 10th Dhul-Hijjah | Halq or Taqsir | Shave head (men) or trim hair (women). Exit Ihram partially. |
| 10th-12th Dhul-Hijjah | Tawaf al-Ifadah | Circumambulate the Kaaba 7 times. (Pillar of Hajj) |
| 11th-12th Dhul-Hijjah | Ramy (Days of Tashreeq) | Throw 7 pebbles at each of the three Jamarat (total 21 or 49). |
| Before leaving Makkah | Tawaf al-Wada' | Farewell circumambulation (obligatory except for menstruating women). |
Definition and Importance
Definition: Akhlaq means good character, morals, and manners. It is the inner dimension of Islam.
Importance:
The Prophet ﷺ said: "I have been sent to perfect good character." (Bukhari)
The best among believers are those with the best character.
Good deeds weigh heaviest on the Scale (Mizan).
Key Good Morals in Islam
| Moral | Definition | Quranic or Hadith Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Honesty (Sidq) | Speaking truth always, even if difficult | "O you who believe, fear Allah and be with those who are truthful." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:119) |
| Patience (Sabr) | Remaining steadfast in obedience, avoiding sin, and accepting trials | "Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153) |
| Forgiveness ('Afw) | Pardoning others even when you have power to retaliate | "Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?" (Surah An-Nur 24:22) |
| Modesty (Haya') | Shyness from doing wrong; a branch of faith | The Prophet ﷺ said: "Haya' (modesty) is a branch of faith." (Bukhari) |
| Helping others | Assisting people in need, whether Muslim or non-Muslim | "The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others." (Hadith) |
| Humility (Tawadu') | Not being arrogant or proud | "Allah does not love the arrogant and boastful." (Surah An-Nisa 4:36) |
| Trustworthiness (Amanah) | Returning what is entrusted to you | "Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their owners." (Surah An-Nisa 4:58) |
Definition
Linguistically: Kaba'ir (singular: Kabirah) means "great" or "major."
Islamically: Major sins are those for which Allah has specified a punishment in this world (Hadd), promised Hellfire in the Hereafter, or cursed the one who commits them.
Minor sins (Sagha'ir): Are forgiven by staying away from major sins. The Quran states: "If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance." (Surah An-Nisa 4:31)
List of Major Sins (Commonly known as Al-Kaba'ir)
| # | Sin | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shirk (associating partners with Allah) | "Indeed, Allah does not forgive shirk." (Surah An-Nisa 4:48) |
| 2 | Murder (killing a person unjustly) | "Whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell." (Surah An-Nisa 4:93) |
| 3 | Adultery (Zina) and Fornication | "Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is an abomination and an evil way." (Surah Al-Isra 17:32) |
| 4 | Interest (Riba) | "Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:275) |
| 5 | Backbiting (Ghibah) – speaking bad about someone in their absence | "Do not backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?" (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:12) |
| 6 | Slandering chaste women (especially Aisha RA) | "Indeed, those who accuse chaste, believing women are cursed." (Surah An-Nur 24:23) |
| 7 | Consuming alcohol (all intoxicants) | "Indeed, intoxicants are from the work of Satan, so avoid it." (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:90) |
| 8 | Theft | The hand of the thief is cut off (punishment in this world) |
| 9 | Sorcery / Magic (Sihr) | "Solomon did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102) |
| 10 | Abandoning Salah | "What has caused you to enter Hell? They said: We were not of those who prayed." (Surah Al-Muddaththir 74:42-43) |
| 11 | Not paying Zakat | Severe punishment mentioned for hoarding wealth |
| 12 | Disobeying parents ('Uquq) | The Prophet ﷺ said: "The major sins are: shirk, disobeying parents, murder, and false testimony." (Bukhari) |
| 13 | False testimony | Mentioned alongside shirk in hadith |
| 14 | Gambling (Maysir) | "Indeed, intoxicants and gambling are from the work of Satan." (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:90) |
| 15 | Pride and arrogance (Kibr) | "No one with an atom's weight of pride will enter Paradise." (Muslim) |
Repentance from Major Sins (Tawbah)
Conditions for sincere repentance:
Stop the sin immediately
Regret and feel remorse
Resolve never to return to the sin
(If the sin involves another person's rights) Return the right or seek forgiveness from that person
Allah's promise: "Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many Fard acts are in Wudu? | 4 |
| How many Fard acts are in Ghusl? | 3 |
| When is Tayammum performed? | When water is unavailable or harmful |
| Total conditions of Salah | 9 |
| Total pillars of Salah | 14 |
| Witr prayer is Wajib in which school? | Hanafi |
| How many rak'ahs in Jumu'ah? | 2 |
| How many Takbirs in Janazah prayer? | 4 |
| What is the Zakat rate on cash? | 2.5% |
| How many categories of Zakat recipients? | 8 |
| Fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory in which year? | 2 AH |
| Kaffarah for breaking a fast by intercourse | Fast 60 consecutive days OR feed 60 poor |
| What is "Hajj is Arafah"? | The Prophet's ﷺ saying that standing at Arafah is the essence of Hajj |
| Difference between Hajj and Umrah | Hajj has Wuquf at Arafah; Umrah does not |
| Which moral is half of faith? | Modesty (Haya') |
| The greatest major sin | Shirk |
| Punishment for adultery in this world (for married person) | Stoning to death (Rajm) |
| The single major sin that Allah may not forgive without repentance | Shirk |