（A.）'By the reading of God's Holy Book and by signs and proofs and portents and miracles.'（Q.）'What are the obligatory ordinances and the immutable institutions？'（A.）'The obligatory ordinances are five in number.（1）Testification that there is no god but God alonethat He hath no partner in divinity and that Mohammed is His servant and His apostle.（2）The scrupulous performance of the enjoined prayers.（3）The payment of the poor-rate.（4）Fasting Ramazan.（5）The performance of the Pilgrimage to God's Holy House [at Mecca] for all to whom it is possible. The immutable institutions are four in number；to witnight and day and sun and moonthe which build up life and hopeneither knoweth any son of Adam if they will be destroyed on the Day of Judgment.'（Q.）'What are the obligatory rites of the Faith？'（A.）'Prayeralmsgivingfastingpilgrimage，fighting for the Faith and abstinence from what is forbidden.'
（Q.）'Why dost thou stand up to pray？'（A.）'To express the devout intent of the slave submitting himself to [or acknowledging]the Divinity.'（Q.）'What are the conditions precedent of standing up to pray？'（A.）'Purificationcovering the privy parts，the avoidance of soiled clothesstanding on a clean place，fronting [the Kaabeh，] a standing posturethe intent
and the magnification of prohibition.'（Q.）'With what shouldest thou go forth thy house to pray？（A.）'With an intent of worship.'（Q.）'With what intent shouldest thou enter the mosque？'（A.）'With an intent of service.'
（Q.）'Why do we front the Kaabeh？'（A.）'In obedience to three Divine and one Traditional ordinance.'（Q.）'What is the commencementthe consecration and the dissolution [end] of prayer？'（A.）'Purificationthe magnification of prohibition and the salutation of the angels [concluding prayer].'（Q.）'What of him who neglecteth prayer？'（A.）'It is reported，among the authentic（Traditions of the Prophetthat he said），'Hewho neglecteth prayer wilfully and without excusehath no part in Islam.'（Q.）'What is prayer？'（A.）'Prayer is communion between the slave and his Lordand in it are ten virtuesto wit（1）it illumines the heart（2）makes the face shine（3）pleases the Merciful One（4）angers Satan（5）conjures calamity（6）wards off the mischief of enemies（7）multiplies mercy（8）forfends vengeance [or punishment]（9）brings the slave nigh unto [or in favour with] his Lord and（10）restrains from lewdness and iniquity. It is one of the written obligatory ordinances and the pillar of the Faith.'