One must state, "There is no God, but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah." It consists of three parts a) To reject all the false gods. b) To believe that Allah is the only sole creator of everything. c) To believe that Muhammad is the last messenger of Allah.
It is compulsory for every Muslim to pray five times a day at respective timings facing towards the direction of Mecca. During the prayer, Muslims recite verses from the Holy Quran, specially the following surah which is recited at least 17 times a day "All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and Sovereign of the Day of Judgment. It is You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path; The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked Your anger or of those who are astray." (1:1-7)
The word Zakah means "to grow" or "to purify". It literally means to gain Allah's blessings and purify the wealth by helping the needy. It is mandatory on every Muslim to give 2.5% of their yearly savings (or excess money) for charity.
Every Muslim is required to fast during the month of Ramadan from Dawn to Sunset. During this period, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, smoke or have an intercourse. It is not only physical discipline in one's life, but it is also a way to feel the afflictions of the poor.
Hajj literally means to "set out for place". For Muslim, it is a pilgrimage to Kaaba (House of Allah) in Makah. It is the responsibility of every physically and financially able Muslim to perform this offering at least once in a lifetime. Hajj is performed on the 10th day of Thou al-Hijjah (the 12th and the final month of the Islamic calendar). Hajj is the symbol of unity among the Muslims. Millions of believers from all over the world participate in the ritual irrespective of their caste, color, creed or tradition. It tears down the difference of social status and brings all the Muslims on one platform. During this occasion, men only wear two unstitched clothes; one covers the lower part, and the other is wrapped around the shoulders. Women wear simple white dress and headscarf.