THE FIVE PILLARS

• The essentials of Muslim practice are set out in what are known as the "Five Pillars of Islam". These are:

1. Shahadah, the declaration that there is no god except God and that Muhammad is his messenger.
2. Salat, which is prescribed prayer conducted five times daily. These are:

• Fajr, at dawn
• Zuhr, at midday
• Asr, in the afternoon
• Maghrib, after sunset
• Isha, in the night

1. Zakat, which is a contribution to the needy consisting of two and a half per cent of the total of an individual's annual income and savings (an additional contribution, known as Sadaqa al-Fitr, is expected during the month of Ramadan, once fasting is finished.
2. Ramadan, which is a month of spiritual dedication embodied in abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse from before dawn until after sunset.
3. Hajj, a pilgrimage to Makka, required once in a lifetime of those Muslims who can afford it. It includes a visit to the Ka`bah (the House of God) and involvement in a range of rituals in the neighbourhood of Makka.