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The Ten Obligatory Acts are followed by ����’a Muslims. These combine four of the Five Pillars of Islam with jihad, which applies to all Muslims. It is the final five obligatory acts that distinguish ����’a and Sunni practice.

1. Salah – committing to daily prayers.
2. Sawm – fasting from just before dawn until sunset.
3. Zakah – giving a proportion of your wealth to help the poor.
4. Hajj – pilgrimage to Makkah.
5. Jihad – the struggle to keep belief in Allah and follow his rules, to follow the Five Pillars of Islam successfully and to defend Islam.
6. Khums – 20 per cent annual tax. This tax is paid on any profit earned by ����’a Muslims. The money is split between charities supporting Islamic education and anyone who is descended from Muhammad who is in need.
7. Amr-bil-Maroof – encouraging people to do what is good: Enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong (Qur’an 9:71). Maruf is anything that has been approved in Shariah Law.
8. Nahil Anril Munkar – forbidding evil by discouraging people from doing what is wrong.
9. Tawalia – showing love. This includes both love for God and love for those who follow him.
10. Tabarra – disassociation. ����’a Muslims should not associate with God’s enemies.

Salah – differences between Sunni and ����’a Islam

There are also some differences between Sunni and ����’a practices in relation to Salah.

����’a Muslims combine some prayers, such as the midday and afternoon prayers. Therefore, they may only pray three times a day. Sunni Muslims only combine prayers if they have a good reason to, for example if they are travelling.

����’a Muslims also often use natural elements when praying. For example, some place a piece of clay at the spot where their head will rest.

Additionally, the movements that Sunni and ����’a Muslims make during prayer can differ. For example, ����’a Muslims pray with their hands by their sides, whereas Sunni Muslims pray with their hands either folded or by their sides.