View a television news story about the observance of Ramadan in
Canada. From YouTube. Muslims are expected to live up to the
demands of Shari'a, which refers to the rights and
responsibilities expressed by an intricate legal-ethical system
constructed and refined over the centuries. The Shari'a is
derived primarily from the Qur'an and the example of the prophet
Muhammad (known as the Sunna), and defines what is halal
(permissible), and haram (prohibited). Although Islam has no
clergy and no sacraments, it does require certain ritual
practices in obedience to God's commandments. Often referred to
as the "Pillars of Islam," there are 5 acts of worship incumbent
on all believers: a testimony of faith, regular prayer, an
annual charitable donation, fasting during the holy month of
Ramadan, and a pilgrimage to the holy sites in Mecca (city in
Saudi Arabia) once during a Muslim's lifetime. To avoid a
spiritually empty formalism, and to facilitate the adherent's
personal development, each act is to be approached wit