Shahadah: The English translation of the Shahadah is as follows: "I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without any partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger." Islam’s fundamental belief is the Unity of God. All other beliefs hang on this belief. Therefore the acknowledgement and ‘bearing witness’ of this is the key to the Muslim faith. Unless this is observed one cannot be a Muslim.

Salat: Islam lays the greatest of emphasis on salat, prayers and remembrance of Allah for spiritual reformation. Prior to salat one makes one’s ablutions, have clean clothes on and in keeping with the sanctity of the worship present oneself on time and with full respect. The first part of this preparation is the apparent cleanliness. One should try and have clean clothes on. The ablutions before prayer need to be made to make the salat valid. One cleans one’s hands, rinses the mouth, cleans the nostrils, washes the face, hands and fore-arms. All this is repeated three times. Wet hands are passed over the head and the ears are cleaned with the tips of the forefinger. Lastly the feet are washed, again three times. Along with the obvious cleanliness through ablution, it also signifies a purification of one’s inner self. When a worshipper washes during ablution with the intention of praying, he/she also reflects on his/her inner purification and cleanses his/her mind from worldly thoughts, and draws the attention of his/her soul to be in attendance of God. The significance of all the different postures of salat is there is a deep connection between what is on the outside and the inner self of a human being. The physical postures of salat are in keeping with the mental attitude of humility with which one worships God. These postures affect the heart and indeed the heart’s humility affects the physical postures. The prayer starts with a standing position called ‘Qiyam’. Then there is a bowing position called ‘Tasbih’. Two prostration’s are followed, they are called ‘Sajdah’. In the end there’s a sitting position and that is known as ‘Q’adah.

Zakat: Zakat is a part of devotion enjoined upon Muslims by the Holy Quran. It is a means where the well-off pay a set amount of their wealth. Zakat means to purify oneself. It is obligatory on Muslims to pay a little percentage of their accumulated wealth towards Zakat, which is used for the benefit of the needy and the poor. Zakat is not levied on one’s property that is in personal use, rather on the assets which have a means of increasing and which are surplus to one’s needs. It is a means of social justice and order. It teaches sympathy of the highest order.

Fasting: Along with salat, another important form of worship is fasting. It is obligatory for each Muslim, apart from some exemptions, to fast in the month of Ramadhan. During the hours of fasting, food and drink and conjugal relations between husband and wife are forbidden. It is enjoined that during fasting one should pay attention to remembrance of God and study the Holy Quran in abundance. One should try to curtail one’s worldly pastimes as much as possible during Ramadhan, and to be particularly inclined towards charity and alms giving. Human life is dependent on food and drink and the continuation of the human race depends on the marital relationship. While fasting one refrains from them both, as if bearing witness to God that for His pleasure man gives up the factors (temporarily) upon which his very existence depends. The various other benefits of fasting are that man gets to exercise sacrificing physical comfort and to endure hunger and thirst. Fasting creates a sense of equality between the rich and the poor. By developing an appreciation of hunger and thirst, it makes the well-off think of the needs of the poor and impresses a feeling of compassion in their hearts. It makes them appreciate, through the practicality of it, the state a human being endures when hungry and thirsty. Ramadhan is a most effective and excellent means of spiritual development for mankind.

A separate area is provided for women to offer their service. Islam does not permit free intermingling of men and women. It was the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) of Islam to go to Eidgah by one route and return by another. Where possible this tradition is upheld. The Eid prayer is fairly short. After the prayer, the Imam delivers a sermon. It generally includes the historical background and the spiritual significance of the festival. Any other important matters concerning the world of Islam can also be dealt with. After the sermon, the worshippers greet each other by embracing and saying, "Eid Mubarak" to each other.

"And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts, and that they disclose not their natural and artificial beauty except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they disclose not their beauty save to ........." The verse goes on to enlist near blood-relations etc., from whom Hijab is not necessary.

In Islam the emphasis is on modesty. Men and women both are enjoined to guard their modesty. Figure hugging, revealing clothes are considered most undesirable. As a general rule, the idea is to cover one's beauty. It is a fact that nature has made the female beauty most alluring. The concept of Hijab is to protect that beauty and to cherish it. So, a dress that covers one's extremities is suitable. It can be trousers with a long and loose top, or a long dress. It indeed depends on the culture one comes from. If one is appropriately covered, then one can go in front of men. Indeed, Muslim women go out to work in all walks of life suitably attired.

We assume you refer to Surah Al-Fatiha as ‘fatha’, which is the opening chapter of the Holy Quran. It is said to be an embodiment of the entire Quran. While we are unable to provide the Arabic script of it, we can most certainly provide you with a transliteration and a translation in English. It comprises of seven verses:

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, ever Merciful

Al hamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘alameen
All Praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds

Ar-rahmanir-Raheem
Most Gracious, Ever Merciful

Maliki yaumiddeen
Master of the Day of Judgement

Iyyaka n’abudu wa iyyaka nasta’een
You alone do we worship and You alone do we implore for help

Ihdinas-sirat al-mustaqeem
Guide us on the right path

Siratallathina an’amta ‘alaihim ghairul maghdhibi ‘alaihim wa ladhdh alleen.
The path of those on whom you have bestowed Your blessings, those who have not incurred Your displeasure and who have not gone astray.