What are the “Five Pillars” of Islam?

In a Hadith narrated by Abu Abd Al-Rahman Abdullah bin Umar bin Al-Khattab, radi Allahu ‘anhuma, the holy prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has used a metaphor (i.e. the building) to explain the role of five acts of worship in Islam. These five acts of worship have been mentioned as “pillars” in this metaphor.

Hence five pillars of Islam are, in fact, five acts of worship which are obligatory for all the Muslims. These pillars are:

Shahadah is a statement testifying monotheism and accepting Muhammad (PBUH) as God’s messenger.

Salat is the daily prayer of Islam. There are five mandatory prayers each day. These mandatory prayers are: Fajr, Duhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. It is obligatory for Muslims to perform these prayers at the correct time.

Sawm (Plural: Sayyam) or fasting is obligatory during the month of Ramadan on all Muslims with some exceptions (e.g. minors, travelers, ill people, elderly people, menstruating, pregnant or breast-feeding women). In addition to obligatory fasting, Muslims may fast to seek closeness to Allah (SWT).

Zakat is some sort of “wealth tax” which is obligatory for all whose wealth comes within the ambit of Zakat.

Hajj is a pilgrimage performed during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Hajj is obligatory at least once in the life-time for every person who is physically and financially capable of performing Hajj.

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