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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discovering Islam Islamic Practices Islam is like a tree whose roots are its beliefs and whose branches are its practices. If the roots are not firm and healthy, the tree will not survive; the roots only form the foundation of the tree. Islamic practices are referred to as such because they are the ways in which the beliefs of Islam are transformed into reality.

The different forms of outward worship translate a person's inner love and connection with God into a physical form. Islam has ten fundamental practices: prayers, fasting, two forms of almsgiving, pilgrimage to the city of Makkah, Jihad , enjoining good, forbidding evil, supporting those who walk in the path of God, and turning away from the enemies of God. Prayer (Salaat) Prayers are the pillars of faith. Through prayer people establish communication and dialogue with God.

It makes one become aware and realize that he or she is not alone in this universe; each person has been created for a legitimate purpose. God created human beings to recognize and appreciate His grace and blessings. The Necessity of Connection with the Absolute The instinct to worship is an innate aspect of human beings; it is part of their natural disposition ( fitra ). Since the dawn of humanity, civilizations have worshipped the Creator in many different ways.

The need for prayer is great, and a deep, strong, innate feeling within people drives them toward the Absolute Power to seek His help and assistance. Just as the body needs food to survive and grow, so does the soul. The food of the soul is prayer. In order for people to receive their necessary spiritual nourishment, and to maintain a strong connection with God, Islam instructs Muslims to pray at five particular times during the day.

For example, the Quran states: Establish regular prayers from mid-day till the darkness of the night, and recite the Quran in the early dawn; verily, the recitation of the Quran in the early dawn is an act witnessed. (17:78-79) Islam has set five prescribed forms of prayers that must be completed everyday at specific times. All the daily prayers consist of recitations from the Quran and various bodily movements (prostrations).

People offer their prayers to God for many reasons; the first being the grandeur of the Creator.