With regard to zakah, they discussed the categories of wealth subject to zakah, the amounts at which the minimum taxable thresholds are reached, the obligatory dues, and those entitled to receive zakah. This, in reality, is its manner of performance.

As we know, the prayer is the greatest pillar of Islam after the two testimonies of faith. Whoever abandons it out of negligence and laziness is a disbeliever (1). And whoever denies that it is obligatory is a disbeliever, even if he performs it. Thus, if he says, “I perform these five prayers as voluntary prayers,” he is a disbeliever—even though he performs them—unless he has only recently embraced Islam or was raised in a remote desert region and does not know about the pillars of Islam. In that case, he is first to be informed that it is obligatory; then, if he denies its obligation after having been informed of it, he is judged to be a disbeliever.

Prayer may be performed in congregation or individually. When it is performed in congregation, the best manner is for a person to perform ablution thoroughly at home, then leave his home intending to pray with the congregation. If he does so, Allah raises him one degree and removes from him one sin for every step he takes, whether his home is near or far (2). This does not mean that one should deliberately choose the more distant mosque. Rather, it means that if your home is far from the mosque, you should not avoid going to the mosque and say, “It is too tiring for me.” Instead, make your way to it. For every step you take, if you leave having performed ablution thoroughly and intending to go to the mosque, Allah will raise you one degree and remove from you one sin.