A Muslim's duties as described in the Five Pillars of Islam are:

to recite at least once during their lifetime the shahadah (the creed: "There is no God but God and Mohammed is his Prophet"). Most Muslims repeat it at least daily. to perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day. This is recited while orienting one's body towards Mecca. It is done in the morning, at noon, midafternoon, after sunset and just before sleeping. to donate regularly to charity through zakat, a 2.5% charity tax, and through additional donations to the needy as the individual believer feels moved. to fast during the month of Ramadan [began 1995-FEB-2, 1995 (Year 1415); begins 1996-JAN-22 (Year 1416) and 1997-JAN-10 (Year 1417)]. This is believed to be the month that Mohammed received the Qur'an from God. if economically and physically, to make at least one hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca Jihad (struggle) is probably the most misunderstood religious word in existence. It often mentioned on Western TV and radio during news about the Middle East, where it is implied to be a synonym of "holy war" - a call to fight against non-Muslims in the defense of Islam.

The vast majority of Muslims have an entirely different definition of Jihad. It is seen as a personal, internal struggle with one's self. The goal may be achievement in a profession, self-purification, the conquering of primitive instincts or the attainment of some other noble goal.

• strict monotheism. God is the creator, is just, omnipotent and merciful
• respect for earlier prophets and belief in their teachings: Abraham, Moses and Jesus
• that Mohammed is the last of the prophets
• belief in the existence of Satan who drives people to sin
• that Muslims who sincerely repent and submit to God return to a state of sinlessness
• belief in Hell where unbelievers and sinners spend eternity
• belief in Paradise, a place of physical and spiritual pleasure where the sinless go after death
• abstinence from alcohol and gambling
• rejection of racism
• avoid the use of alcohol, other drugs, eating of pork, etc.
• avoid gambling
• that Jesus is a prophet. They regard the Christian concept of the deity of Jesus to be blasphemous
• that Jesus was not executed on the cross

Originally, in Islamic countries, there was no separation between religious and civil law, between Islam and the state. Turkey and some other countries have become secular states during this century. This is a controversial move in Islamic circles.

Understanding of Jesus, within Islam and Christianity
Conservative Christians and Muslims have certain beliefs in common concerning Jesus. They both accept that:

• Jesus' birth was miraculous.
• Jesus was the Messiah.
• He cured people of illness.
• He restored dead people to life.

However, they differ in a number of major areas. Muslims do not believe:

• In original sin: that everyone inherits a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve's transgression.
• That Jesus was killed during his crucifixion. He narrowly escaped death, and later reappeared to his disciples.
• That Jesus was resurrected (or resurrected himself) circa 30 CE.
• Salvation is dependent either upon belief in the resurrection of Jesus or belief that Jesus is the Son of God.