Does Islam prescribe rituals to Muslims, or are they free to “worship” as they please?
A. Among the major rituals of Islam are: five daily prayers (salaat), payment of zakaat, pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj), and fasting during the days of the entire month of Ramadhan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar). Within each of these are other rituals, some mandatory while others are merely recommended. For instance, before one could perform each of the daily compulsory prayers, the ritualistic washing (ablution) is necessary. All rituals in Islam are special words and/or special actions recited/performed at special times as taught by Prophet Muhammad. No “ritual” is recognized unless it was taught by the prophet – otherwise it is condemned as heresy (bid’ah). Rituals are practical expressions of faith in a “religious” context.
