1. ARTICLE 01 – 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
www.owhsomuslim.com
by OwhSoMuslim.com
TITLE: 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
ARTICLE 01 – 10/10/2010
CATEGORY: DEEN / AKIDAH
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2. ARTICLE 01 – 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
www.owhsomuslim.com
01 : To testify that there is no God but Allah & Muhammad is the Messenger
This is the MOST basic duty a Muslim should do; which is to utter and believe that there is no God than
Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.
“Ash-hadu an-laa Ilaaha illa-Allaah , wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasul-ullah”
There is no God but ALLAH and Muhammad is the messenger of ALLAH
Related verses from the Quran:
 “To all the Messengers that were sent before you We revealed that I am the only God to be
worshipped” [ Al-Anbiya 21:25]
 “Your lord has ordained that you must not worship anything other than Him” [ Al-Isra 17:23 ]
 “Take only what the Messenger gives to you and desist from what he forbids you [ Al-Hashr
59:7 ]
 “They were only commanded to worship ALLAH , be uprightly devoted to His religion, steadfast in
as-salat and give zakat. This is truly the eternal religion [ Al-Bayyina 98:5 ]

3. ARTICLE 01 – 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
www.owhsomuslim.com
Related hadiths:
 Narrated by Anas (r.a.): The Prophet (s.a.w) said : “Whoever said La ilaha illallah (none has the
right to be worshipped but ALLAH) and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of an
atom will be taken out of hell” [ Al-Bukhari : volume 001, Book 02 hadith # 044 ]
 As part of a longer hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah(r.a.) : One day while The Prophet (s.a.w)
was sitting in the company of some people, (the angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is faith?”
The Prophet (s.a.w) replied, “Faith is to believe in ALLAH, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His
Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection.” Then he further asked, “What is Islam?” The Prophet
(s.a.w.) replied, “To worship ALLAH Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay the
zakat and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadhan.” [ Al-Bukhari : volume 01, Book 002
hadith # 050 ]

4. ARTICLE 01 – 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
www.owhsomuslim.com
02: Pray 5 times a day
Every Muslim should know that the 5 daily prayers are not merely exercise-like movements, but it’s a
holy act of worshiping Allah. Is it, undoubtedly, the dearest deed to Allah!
Related verses from the Quran:
 “(Muhammad), recite to them what has been revealed to you in the Book and be steadfast in
prayer; prayers keeps one away from indecency and evil. It is the greatest act of worshipping
ALLAH. And ALLAH knows the (deeds) that you do.” [ Al-Ankabut 29 : 45 ]
 “Pay due attention to your prayers, especially the middle prayer and stand up while praying, in
obedience to ALLAH”. [ AI-Baqarah 2: 238 ]
Related hadiths:
 Narrated by ‘Abdullah (r.a.) : I asked The Prophet (s.a.w.) “Which deed is the dearest to
ALLAH?” He replied “To perform the (daily compulsory) Salat at their (early) stated fixed times.
[Al-Bukhari Vol. 01, Book 009, hadith 527 ]
 Narrated by Abu Hurairah (r.a.) : The Prophet (s.a.w) : “Religion is very easy and whoever
overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be
extremists but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be
rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights.” [Fath-ul-Bari , pg 102,
vol 1]

5. ARTICLE 01 – 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
www.owhsomuslim.com
03: Pay zakah to help deserving needy people
Paying zakah helps purify the soul of a righteous Muslim. The more you give, the more you will receive
in the future, and Insyallah, Allah promises that.
Related verses from the Quran:
 “And offer prayers perfectly and pay zakah. You will receive a good reward from ALLAH for all
your good works. ALLAH is Well-aware of what you do.” [Al-Baqarah 2 : 110 ]
 “They were only commanded to worship ALLAH, be uprightly devoted to His religion, steadfast in
prayer and pay zakah. This is truly the eternal religion” [Al-Bayyina 98:5 ]
Related hadith:
 Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Amr (r.a ): A person asked The Prophet (s.a.w.) “ What sort of deeds in
or (what qualities of) Islam are good? “ He replied “To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you
know and those whom you don’t know.” [Al- Bukhari vol 1, book 2, hadith # 028 ]

6. ARTICLE 01 – 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
www.owhsomuslim.com
04: To fast in the month of Ramadhan
Fasting in Ramadhan! Only the true believers are able to see how joyous and blessed the act of fasting
is! Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is compulsory to every breathing Muslim, as it helps cleanse the
soul (and the tummy from eating too much).
Related verse from the Quran:
 “Believers, fasting has been made mandatory for you as it was made mandatory for the people
before you so that you may achieve taqwa” [Al-Baqara 2:183 ]
Related hadiths:
 Narrated by Abu Hurairah (r.a) : The Prophet (s.a.w.) said “Whoever observes fasting during the
month of Ramadhan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain ALLAH’s rewards, then all his past
sins will be forgiven.” [ Al-Bukhar i vol.001, book 002 hadith # 038 ]
 Narrated by Sahl (r.a) : The Prophet (s.a.w.) said “ There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyyan,
and those who observe Saum (fasts) will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none
except them will enter through it will be said ‘Where are those who used to observe Saum
(fasts)?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate
will be closed and nobody will enter through it.” [ Al-Bukhari Vol. 03, Book 030 hadith # 1896 ]

7. ARTICLE 01 – 5 BASIC DUTIES OF A MUSLIM
www.owhsomuslim.com
05: To go on the pilgrimage to Mecca during Hajj season
Eventho’ Hajj is one of the main, basic duty of a Muslim, it is only applicable to those who is able to
undertake the journey to it. The pilgrimage is indeed a holy journey, so if you haven’t done your Hajj,
start planning!
Related verses from the Quran:
 “Those who have the means and ability have a duty to ALLAH to visit the House and perform
the Hajj (pilgrimage) rituals. The unbelievers should know that ALLAH is independent of all
creatures.” [ Al-i-Imran 3: 97 ]
 “Complete the Hajj and Umrah (two parts of the rituals of pilgrimage to Mecca) in obedience
to ALLAH.” [Al-Baqara 2 : 196 ]
Related hadiths:
 Narrated by Abu Hurairah (r.a.) :The Prophet (s.a.w.) said : “From one Umrah to another is
expiation of sins for what is between them and HAJJ Mabrur has no reward except Paradise.”
[Muslim 4/107 ]
 Narrated by Abu Hurairah (r.a.) : The Prophet (s.a.w.) said “ Whoever performs Hajj for ALLAH’s
sake only and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins, then he
will return ( after Hajj, free from all sins) as if he was born anew .” [ Al-Bukhari Vol.2, Book 025,
hadith 1521 ]