The Koran says Muslims must make a hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able to. The hajj takes place over the first several day of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. The hajj commemorates the trials and sacrifices of Abraham, his wife, and son. Muslims believe that Abraham and his son Ishmael built the Kaaba as the first house of worship to God. The Kabaa is in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca. It is an empty cube-shaped building.
2. Fasting:
For one month, Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk. Fasting for Muslims requires not eating, drinking, smoking, or engaging in sexual relations during daylight hours. When it becomes night however, they are allowed to continue on as normal. Fasting can be physically demanding, so the sick, elderly, injured, and pregnant or nursing women may all be excused. Typically, they are to give food, or try and fast at a later time.
3. Salat:
Muslims are required to say the salat (a prayer) five times a day. When saying this prayer, they are to face towards the direction of the Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Salat is a ritual prayer, meaning that it has prescribed conditions, procedure, and times. To perform a valid salat, Muslims must be in a state of ritual purity. Salat consists of repetition of prescribed actions and words. The five times when Sunnis are required to pray are near dawn, midday/noon, afternoon, just after sunset, and around nightfall.
Islam information, Salat information
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