Muslim Practices – The Five Pillars

1. **Shahadah** – declaration of faith 2. **Salah** – ritual prayer (five times daily for many) 3. **Zakah** – obligatory charity; purifying wealth 4. **Sawm** – fasting in Ramadan 5. **Hajj** – pilgrimage to Makkah if able

• Prayer structures the day and reminds Muslims of God • Zakah reduces inequality and builds community • Fasting develops self-discipline and empathy for the poor • Hajj expresses unity of the ummah (global community) • Jihad (struggle) includes greater spiritual struggle; discussion of lesser/physical jihad needs careful, accurate treatment