Meaning In English: Faith 

Meaning In Arabic: Iman 

Meaning In Urdu: Iman

It is a declaration of Faith in One God (Allah) and His Messenger (Prophet Muhammed peace and blessing be upon him). It is the most sacred statement in Islam, and must be recited with full understanding and mindfulness of it’s meaning. It is also known as the Kalima.

How to Read Shahada & its Meaning?

• Arabic Words: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
• English Transliteration: “Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah.”
• English Translation: “There is no God but God (Allah – i.e. there is none worthy of worship but Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

About Shahada:

• Muslims are required to uphold the sacred testament of Shahada throughout their lifetime and embody in all of their actions and intentions.
• The Shahadah is also recited in the Azan i.e., the call to prayer 5 times a day.
• Shahada is also recited in the 5 daily prayers (Salaah) of Islam.
• Individual or Groups that wish to revert (convert) to Islam as their religion, also enter the religion after reciting the shahada, as this marks their true entrance into the religion of Islam and to start their life as a Muslim. The one reciting the Shahada must recite it with the full understanding and mindfulness of it’s essence and meaning.
• Shahada is also the first words recited into the new born babies ears upon his or her arrival into the world.
• Muslims also wish and strive that the last words upon their death be that of the Shahada i.e.,
• The Shahadah is spoken as the first words a Muslim baby hears upon entering the world, and Muslims strive for the Shahadah to be their last words upon their death “Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah.”

Meaning In English: Prayer 

Meaning In Arabic: Salaat 

Meaning In Urdu: Namaaz

Salaat is the main form of prayers that Muslims throughout their lifetime across the world perform 5 times a day starting with the Fajr Prayer (Dawn), Zuhr Prayer (Midday), Asr Prayer (Afternoon), Maghrib Prayer (After-sunset) and Isha Prayer (Night). When praying you must face the Qibla also known as the Kaba in Mecca. Make sure to confirm your direction of Qibla/Kibla and one must also be in a state of ablution or must perform ablution prior to performing prayer. Ablution is a form of purification also known as “WUDU”, which includes washing your hands, mouth, nose, arms, face, hair, back of neck, and legs.

How to Prayer the 5 Daily Prayer:

Click the link to learn about how to pray the 5-daily prayer: Video Demonstration Tutorial

Where are the prayers prayed?

You can:

1. Pray in congregation at a mosque or
2. Pray individually anywhere or
3. Pray in a group with your family.

Are there any special prayers?

Yes. The Friday midday prayers are considered to be special prayers and one must attend the prayer in congregation at a mosque. The name of this special prayer in Arabic is “JUM’A”

About Salaat:

• Muslims across the globe pray 5 times a day.
• Each prayer must be prayed after the azan is recited out or at a designated time as specified by your location. “Surely, the prayers are made obligatory for the believers at their prescribed times.” Qur’an 4:103
• Salaat was revealed unto Prophet Mohammed (peace by upon him) on the night of the Isra.
• Prayer performes purification of the soul, … You can only warn those who fear their Lord unseen and have established prayer. And whoever purifies himself only purifies himself for [the benefit of] his soul. And to Allah is the [final] destination. [35:18]
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The first of his deeds for which a man will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful. But if it is defective, he will be unfortunate and a loser.”
• Protection against evil:  Allah says in the Holy Quran “Verily, prayer restrains (oneself) from shameful and unjust deeds…” Qur’an 29:45
• Make a person humble: “Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers.” Qur’an 23:1-2.
• As mentioned in the Quran, Allah mentions, “Allah says, “Seek help in patience and prayer.” Qur’an 2:153
• Washing away of sins:
  • Allah says, “And perform prayer… surely the good deeds remove the evils deeds.”Qur’an 11:114
  • The Messenger gave a beautiful example when he said to his companions, “Consider if one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day. Would any filth remain on him?” They said, “No.” Then the Prophet replied, “Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the five daily prayers.”[Saheeh al-Bukharee]
• Your existence: The whole purpose of your existence is to worship Allah (swt).
  • “Then, there has succeeded them a generation who have given up prayer and have followed their desires. So they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness.” Qur’an 19:59-60
  • “(The people in Hell will be asked:) What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: We were not of those who used to pray…” Qur’an 74:42-43
• Test for the Hereafter: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The son of Adam will not be dismissed from before his Lord on the Day of Resurrection until he has been questioned with five things: his life and how he spent it, his youth and how he used it, his wealth and how he earned it and how he disposed of it, and how he acted upon what he acquired of knowledge.”(al-Tirmidhi)
• Allah is not in need of our prayers, it it we that immensely and constantly are in need of Allahs mercy “Give thanks to Allah, and whoever gives thanks, it is only for his own soul’s good, and whoever is ungrateful, surely Allah is Free of all needs, Worthy of all praise.”Qur’an 31:12

Meaning In English: Alms Giving or Zakaat

Meaning In Arabic: Zakaat

Meaning In Urdu: Zakaat

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and it simply refers to the obligatory sharing or donating a portion of your wealth with those that are LESS fortunate (i.e., it is a duty owed to the poor and deserving) throughout their lifetime.

How often must zakat be paid?

Once every year

Meaning In English: Fasting 

Meaning In Arabic: Ramadan 

Meaning In Urdu: Ramadan or Ramzan

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims fast for 30 days. Ramadan starts after the sighting of the new crescent moon (i.e., 9th month of the Islamic calendar). The fasting starts from the Sunrise to Sunset (i.e., during the daylight). All Muslims (except few exceptions due to health conditions) must refrain (i.e., stop oneself from doing something) from drinking and eating, including smoking (i.e., refraining from all forms of ingestions of eating and drinking). 

What is the Significance of Ramadan?

The Holy Quran was revealed in the Month of Ramadan.

The end of the month of Ramadan is  marked by an Islamic Festival (Feast), known as the Id al-Fitr.

How to Fast in the Month of Ramadan?

• Step 1: Wake up before dawn.
• Step 2: Eat your meal for observing (holding or keeping) the fast.
• Step 3: Stop eating in the early morning before sunrise (Suhoor)
• Step 4: Observe your fast during the entire daylight without the following:

• Eating Anything
• Drinking Anything
• Smoking Anything (if you smoke)
• Sexual Activity

• Step 5: During the Entire length of the Ramadan perform the following:

• Pray 5 Daily Prayers on Time
• Recite or Listen to the Quran
• Try Understanding the Meaning of the Holy Quran
• Do Good Deeds
• Self-Reflect upon yourself.

• Step 6: Make supplication before breaking the fast by asking Allah for his mercy, assistance, and guidance. Read the following before breaking your fast: 
• Step 7: Break your fast at the call of Maghrib Azan (sunset prayer), eat and then pray your Maghrib Prayer (Salaat).

About Ramadan:

• Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims across the world seek a richer and deeper perception of Allah (swt).
• Muslims across the world break their fasting every day (for 30 days of the month of Ramadan) at sunset with a meal referred to as the “IFTAR“, and perform additional prayers referred to as the, “TARAWIH”, after the ISHA prayers.
• Muslims can continue to eat and drink from after sunset to before sunrise before keeping the next fast for the next day.

• Fasting in the month of Ramadan instils self control, self purification, truthfulness and self-education with a sincere aim that this training in the month of Ramadan of self control, self purification, truthfulness and self education will last beyond the end of Ramadan.

• Fasting is not just remaining hungry during the 30 days of Ramadan, its valuing your time by investing in it by being steadfast in prayers and worshiping Allah (swt) and by doing good deeds and performing self-reflection and self-corrections.

Meaning In English: Pilgrimage

Meaning In Arabic: Hajj

Meaning In Urdu: Hajj

The sacred pilgrimage to Mecca required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime if it is within their means (i.e., physically and financially). The Hajj starts from the Islamic month of Dhu’l-Hijja, 12th month of the Islamic Calendar. Hajj is a pilgrim that follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ (peace be upon him) performed during his last pilgrimage.

What to recite while in the Journey of Hajj?

• Arabic Words: لَبَّيْكَ ٱللَّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ ٱلْحَمْدَ وَٱلنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَٱلْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
• English Transliteration: “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wa-nimata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka.”
• English Translation: “I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You.”

About Hajj:

• Muslims that complete this pilgrim are given the title of a “Haji” a respected title given to a person that performed the pilgrimage.
• Hajj is performed in a two piece white cloth referred to as the “Ihram” (i.e., females especially covering their head), which most of the Muslims also use as their shroud. This garment is worn by the Muslim before they enter the Holy City of Mecca.
• Ihram refers to a sacred state in which a Muslim must enter in order to perform major pilgrim Hajj or minor pilgrim Umrah.