Why do Muslims fast, give Zakah and perform Hajj?
The nature, role and significance of Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), Zakah and Khums (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage).
A focused answer on Sawm, Zakah and Hajj for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering fasting in Ramadan and the Night of Power, Zakah and Khums, and the pilgrimage to Makkah.
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to explain the nature, role, significance and purpose of three of the Five Pillars: Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), including the Night of Power and who is excused; Zakah (and Khums in Shi'a Islam), the giving of charity; and Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, including how it is performed and why it matters. These pillars put faith into action.
Sawm: fasting in Ramadan
Sawm is the fourth Pillar: fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
The purpose of Sawm is to obey Allah's command ("fasting is prescribed for you", Surah 2:183), to build self-discipline and self-control, to develop empathy for the poor and hungry by sharing their experience, and to grow closer to Allah through extra prayer and reading of the Qur'an. Ramadan also contains the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), the night when the Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad, which Muslims believe is better than a thousand months, so they spend it in special prayer. Ramadan ends with the festival of Id-ul-Fitr.
Zakah and Khums: giving to charity
Zakah is not seen as optional charity but as an obligation and an act of worship. It helps the poor, reduces inequality, and builds a fairer and more caring community (the ummah). The Qur'an specifies who may receive it, including the poor, the needy and those in debt (Surah 9:60). By giving, a Muslim shows that wealth is a trust from Allah to be shared, not hoarded. The difference between Zakah (Sunni and Shi'a) and Khums (a distinctively Shi'a duty) is a useful point of diversity to note.
Hajj: the pilgrimage to Makkah
Hajj is the fifth Pillar: the pilgrimage to Makkah that every Muslim who is physically and financially able should make once in their lifetime. It takes place in the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Pilgrims enter a state of purity and wear ihram, two simple white garments for men (and modest dress for women), which removes signs of wealth and status so that all are equal before Allah.
The rites of Hajj re-enact events from the lives of Ibrahim, his wife Hajar and their son Isma'il. Pilgrims walk seven times around the Ka'bah (tawaf), run between the hills of Safa and Marwah (recalling Hajar's search for water), stand in prayer at Mount Arafat (the climax of Hajj, recalling Muhammad's final sermon), and throw stones at pillars at Mina (rejecting evil). Hajj ends with the festival of Id-ul-Adha. Muslims believe Hajj, performed sincerely, wipes away past sins and is a powerful experience of unity, equality and submission. The Qur'an commands Hajj (Surah 2:124 to 130 and 22:25 to 30).
For the exam, be able to describe how each pillar is performed and explain its purpose, link them to submission and the ummah, and be ready to evaluate which pillar is most important or rewarding. A strong answer weighs the unique experience of Hajj against the constancy of Salah and Sawm and the social value of Zakah.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 1RA0 20193 marksOutline three features of Hajj.Show worked answer →
A 3-mark Outline question (AO1): three accurate, distinct features. Acceptable points include: it is the pilgrimage to Makkah; it takes place once a year in the month of Dhul-Hijjah; pilgrims wear ihram (simple white clothing); they walk around the Ka'bah seven times (tawaf); they stand at Mount Arafat; they stone the pillars at Mina. One mark for each distinct feature.
Edexcel 1RA0 20184 marksExplain two reasons why Sawm is important for Muslims.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed reasons. Reason one: fasting in Ramadan obeys a command of Allah and is one of the Five Pillars, "fasting is prescribed for you" (Surah 2:183). Reason two: it builds self-discipline and empathy for the poor and hungry, and helps Muslims focus on Allah and the Qur'an. Two marks for each developed point.
Edexcel 1RA0 20225 marksExplain two reasons why Zakah is important for Muslims. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.Show worked answer →
A 5-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed reasons plus a source. Reason one: Zakah is the duty to give a set portion (usually 2.5 percent) of wealth to the poor, one of the Five Pillars, which purifies wealth and helps those in need. Reason two: it reminds Muslims that wealth comes from Allah and builds a fairer community. Support with a source: Surah 9:60 (on who should receive charity), or another relevant verse. The accurate source secures the fifth mark.
Edexcel 1RA0 202112 marks"Hajj is the most rewarding of the Five Pillars." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to Muslim teaching, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The 12-mark Evaluate question (AO2), plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: Hajj unites millions of Muslims at the holiest site, demonstrates equality and submission, and is said to wipe away past sins, so it is uniquely rewarding. Arguments for a different view: Hajj is only required once and only for those able, while Salah (daily) and Sawm (yearly) are kept by all and keep faith constant, and Zakah helps the poor all year, so other pillars may be more important in practice. Use specialist terms (Hajj, ihram, Salah, Sawm, Zakah). Reach a justified conclusion weighing the unique experience of Hajj against the constancy of the daily and yearly pillars. The best answers sustain a line of reasoning.
Related dot points
- The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam, and the Shahadah as the first Pillar.
A focused answer on the Five Pillars and the Ten Obligatory Acts for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering their nature and purpose and the Shahadah as the first Pillar.
- The nature, significance and purpose of Salah for Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, and how it is performed in the home and mosque.
A focused answer on Salah for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering its purpose, how it is performed (ablution, times, direction, movements), and Jummah prayer in the mosque.
- The meaning and significance of Jihad, including greater and lesser Jihad, and the festivals of Id-ul-Adha, Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura.
A focused answer on Jihad and Muslim festivals for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering greater and lesser Jihad and the festivals Id-ul-Adha, Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura.
- Muslim teachings about Akhirah (life after death), the nature of judgement, paradise and hell, and how these affect a Muslim's life today.
A focused answer on Akhirah for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering the Day of Judgement, paradise (Jannah) and hell (Jahannam), and how belief in the afterlife shapes Muslim life.
Sources & how we know this
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies A (1RA0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)