Practice

Code of Practice

1. Prayer (Salaah)

• The five daily prayers are obligatory for every mature Muslim (male or female). Maturity generally begins around age 12 for males.
• The names of the prayers are Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. Each prayer has its own number of Rak'at. Every Rak'at consists of Qiyam, Ruku, and two Sijdahs. There is a sitting after every two Rak'at known as Qa'da.
• Prayer is performed after making Wudu (ablution) or Tayammum when water is unavailable or in cases of sickness.
• Prayer may be performed individually or collectively. Jamat can be performed in the mosque or any clean place. Jumma prayer cannot be performed individually.

2. Fasting (Syam)

• Ramadhan begins and ends with the sighting of the new moon. If the moon is not sighted due to clouds, one may consult observatories or follow the decision of the nearest Islamic country.
• Fasting during Ramadhan is obligatory for all Muslims.
• The disabled must give Fidya to the poor for each fast missed — equivalent to the cost of two meals.
• The sick and travelers may postpone their fasts to a later time.
• Fasting is observed from dawn to sunset.

3. Zakat

• Islam encourages involvement in both spiritual and material aspects of life. Zakat reflects this balance.
• Zakat strengthens relations between the rich and the poor. It is an annual obligation: the wealthy must give 1/40 of their annual savings to the poor. Zakat al-Fitr is given at the end of Ramadhan. Ushr (1/10) is paid on reaped crops.
• Zakat is due on cash, gold, silver, trade commodities, animals, and reaped crops. It is not due on land or residential property.
• Zakat is given only to Muslims and cannot be given to Banu Hashim (descendants of the Prophet PBUH).
• If the government is not Islamic, Muslims must pay Zakat individually. It may be given to poor relatives, but not to heirs.

4. Hajj (Pilgrimage)

• Pilgrimage to Makkah is obligatory once in a lifetime for all Muslims who are physically and financially able.
• Hajj is performed during the days of Zul-Hajj, with the main gathering on the 9th of Zul-Hajj.
• Hazrat Abraham (AS) made the first announcement for Hajj when he built the Ka'ba. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) continued this tradition, and Allah made it obligatory.
• Three things are obligatory in Hajj:
• Wearing the Ihram (special dress)
• Attending the Arafat gathering on the 9th of Zul-Hajj
• Making seven circuits around the Ka'ba and seven walks between Safa and Marwa
• There are three types of Hajj:
• Hajj alone
• Hajj with Umrah in two Ihrams
• Hajj with Umrah in one Ihram

5. Jihad (Struggle Against Evil)

• Jihad is initiated when enemy forces invade Muslim lands or when oppressive forces harm innocent people and violate human rights.
• Jihad begins under the command of an Ameer (leader).
• The rules of Jihad are strict: the lives and property of non-Muslims must not be harmed. Islam protects non-Muslim minorities and their rights.
• Islam does not permit Muslims to live under oppression. If oppressed, they must migrate to another land rather than create conflict.