What are the major religious obligations in Islam?
Every action performed in obedience to God’s guidance or in order to please Him is considered an act of ibadah (worship) in Islam. Thus, helping someone with their homework, greeting a stranger, or even hugging one’s spouse are at the same time acts of worship which earn spiritual reward. However, it is the specific acts of worship commonly termed the “Five Pillars of Islam” that provide the framework for the Muslim’s spiritual life. The observance of these duties is regulated by individual conscience, and consequently, in real life, a spectrum of practice exists among Muslims.
