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      Ten Obligatory Acts in action

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain what the Ten Obligatory Acts are and give examples of them in action.

      Key learning points

      1. The Ten Obligatory Acts are important Muslim practices with their basis in the Qur'an & the example of Prophet Muhammad.
      2. The Ten Obligatory Acts are of particular importance to Twelver Shi'a Muslims.
      3. Four of the Five Pillars are included in the Ten Obligatory Acts.
      4. There are different ways that Shi'a Muslims will follow the Ten Obligatory Acts today.

      Keywords

      • Jihad - Arabic term for 'struggle, effort or fight'; the personal or collective struggle against evil

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

      • Shi'a Islam - Muslims who believe in the successorship of Imam Ali and other Imams from the Prophet Muhammad’s bloodline

      • Twelver - a branch of Shi'a Islam whoce followers believe there were twelve Imams after the death of the Prophet Muhammad

      Common misconception

      None of the Five Pillars are included in the Ten Obligatory Acts.

      Four of the Five Pillars are included in the Ten Obligatory Acts

      Teacher tip

      Students can create a mindmap showing how each of the Ten Obligatory Acts link to key beliefs within Shi'a Islam.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Jihad means to or strive in the way of Allah.

      Correct Answer: struggle, Struggle

      Q2.
      In Shi’a Islam, jihad is part of which set of key practices?

      The Six Articles of Faith
      Correct answer: The Ten Obligatory Acts
      The Five Pillars

      Q3.
      Greater jihad is the internal struggle, while jihad is the external struggle.

      Correct Answer: lesser, Lesser

      Q4.
      Which of the following would not be a valid reason for engaging in a lesser jihad?

      Correct answer: Spreading Islam by force
      Self-defense
      Protecting the oppressed

      Q5.
      Which of the following is a common reason Muslims may reject modern war as lesser jihad?

      The cost is too much
      It's not on the media
      Correct answer: It involves innocent casualties and lacks moral clarity

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      The Ten Obligatory Acts are followed by Twelver Shi’a Muslims and are based on the Qur’an, Hadith, and the guidance of the .

      Correct Answer: Imams, imams

      Q2.
      Which of the following is included in the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam?

      Belief in angels
      Correct answer: Striving for Allah
      Karma

      Q3.
      Which of the following Ten Obligatory Acts are also part of the Five Pillars of Islam?

      Correct answer: Salah, sawm, zakah, hajj
      Salah, zakah, hajj, jihad
      Shahadah, zakah, khums, salah

      Q4.
      What does 'forbidding evil' mean in the context of the Ten Obligatory Acts?

      Executing criminals
      Reading only the Qur'an
      Correct answer: Avoiding temptation and encouraging others to avoid sin

      Q5.
      How might a Muslim apply the Ten Obligatory Acts in everyday life?

      By ignoring injustice
      Correct answer: By praying, helping others, and avoiding sinful behaviour
      By focusing only on personal success

      To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Ten Obligatory Acts in action, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...