New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam

I can explain what the Ten Obligatory Acts are and how they compare to the Five Pillars.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam

I can explain what the Ten Obligatory Acts are and how they compare to the Five Pillars.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Ten Obligatory Acts are essential practices in Shi'a Islam.
  2. They include four of the Five Pillars.
  3. Khums is an additional duty for Shi'a Muslims.
  4. They are related to encouraging the good and forbidding the bad.

Keywords

  • Jihad - to ‘strive’ or ‘struggle’ in the way of Islam

  • Forbid - to not allow or instruct, or order someone not to do something

  • Khums - one fifth' an additional 20% tax paid by Shi'a Muslims

  • Ten Obligatory Acts - ten duties followed by Shi’a Muslims which include four of the Five Pillars, as well as six extra practices

Common misconception

Shi'a Muslims do not perform the Five Pillars.

Salah, sawm, zakah and Hajj are all part of the Ten Obligatory Acts. The Shahadah is also said by Shi'a Muslims, but as a statement of faith upon which the Obligatory Acts rest.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students could create a table of the Ten Obligatory Acts that are also part of the Five Pillars and make notes on what each act is, as well as how they may differ to how Sunni Muslims may practice them.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What belief is declared through the Shahadah?
that angels are superior to humans
that prayer must happen five times daily
Correct answer: that God is one and Muhammad is His messenger
Q2.
Why does the Shahadah come first in the Five Pillars of Islam?
it summarises all the other teachings
Correct answer: it is the foundation for all worship
it is a private act
Q3.
What does the term wudu refer to in Islamic practice?
daily prayer cycles
Correct answer: ritual washing before prayer
night prayers during Ramadan
Q4.
How many times a day is salah performed?
four
Correct answer: five
six
Q5.
What is sawm in the Five Pillars of Islam?
a donation to charity
Correct answer: fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan
visiting the mosque weekly
Q6.
Which statement about Jummah prayers is accurate?
Correct answer: men must attend; women may choose to
it's held daily at sunrise
only children are excused

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
One of the Ten Obligatory Acts is , which is a duty to give to those in need.
Correct Answer: zakah, Zakah
Q2.
Khums means 'one ' and is a 20% tax paid by Shi’a Muslims.
Correct Answer: fifth, 1/5, Fifth
Q3.
What does the practice of tawallah involve?
avoiding forbidden foods
Correct answer: showing love for Allah and the Prophet
giving up worldly possessions
Q4.
Which of these is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts?
the Shahadah
eating halal foods
Correct answer: jihad
Q5.
How many of the Five Pillars are also part of the Ten Obligatory Acts?
two
Correct answer: four
five
Q6.
What is a common misunderstanding about Shi’a Islam?
that they do not believe in angels
that they pray only once a week
Correct answer: that they do not follow the Five Pillars