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Every action which is done with the awareness that it fulfils the will of God is considered an act of worship in Islam. Nevertheless, the specific acts of worship, termed the Pillars of Islam, provide the framework of spiritual life.
They are the following:
1. The declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His servant and messenger." The Prophethood of Muhummed obliges the Muslims to follow his exemplary life in every way.
2. Prayers are prescribed five times a day as a duty towards God. They strengthen and enliven the belief in God and inspire man to a higher morality. They purify the heart and control temptation towards wrong-doings and evils. It should be stressed that while God does not need our prayers we cannot survive without His Blessings and Guidance. "O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere". (Qur'an 2:153)
3. Fasting is observed once each year during the month of Ramadan. This means abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset, and also from evil intentions and desires. It teaches love, sincerity and devotion. It develops a sound social conscience, patience, unselfishness and will-power. When we fast by choice, God remembers our sufferings.
4. Zakah: payment annually of 2.5% of ones net savings as a purifying sum to be spent on the poor and needy. Zakah implies that everything man possesses belongs to God and therefore anyone in need has a share in it.
