1) The core belief of Islam is the "shahada" or Profession of Faith. It states that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" and is frequently displayed in Arabic on Islamic architecture and various objects, including the Qur'an. Reciting this phrase with conviction is the way to become a Muslim.
2) Muslims observe five daily prayers facing Mecca, known as salat. These prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark and involve reciting the opening chapter (sura) of the Qur'an. A small rug or mat is often used during prayer, which can be done individually at any location or in a congregation at a mosque. Men gather on Fridays for the noon prayer, while women are welcome but not obligated to participate. The prayer is followed by a sermon on a passage from the Qur'an, additional prayers by the imam, and a discussion of a religious topic.
3) Alms (zakat). In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims donate a fixed portion of their income to community members in need. Many rulers and wealthy Muslims build mosques, drinking fountains, hospitals, schools, and other institutions both as a religious duty and to secure the blessings associated with charity.
4) Fasting (sawm). During the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, all healthy adult Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink. Through this temporary deprivation, they renew their awareness of and gratitude for everything God has provided in their lives—including the Qur'an, which was first revealed during this month. During Ramadan, they share the hunger and thirst of the needy as a reminder of the religious duty to help those less fortunate.
5) Pilgrimage (hajj). Every Muslim whose health and finances permit it must make at least one visit to the holy city of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia. The Ka'ba, a cubical structure covered in black embroidered hangings, is at the center of the Haram Mosque in Mecca (fig. 2). Muslims believe that it is the house of Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) built for God, and faces in its direction (qibla) when they pray. Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, believers from all over the world have gathered around the Ka'ba in Mecca on the eighth and twelfth days of the final month of the Islamic calendar.