The Five Pillars of Islam

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakat (obligatory charity), making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadhan.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Shahadah

Shahadah is the first pillar of Islam. It consists of two parts. The first part relates to proclamation in Oneness of Allah i.e. Tawheed. While the second part relates to the affirmation in the prophethood of Muhammed ﷺ i.e. Risala. These two beliefs constitute the basis of Islam.

Salah

The second pillar of Islam is to establish Salah. It is the most important form of worship which is obligatory upon every Muslim. A believer is to offer salah five times a day connecting him to his Creator, thereby seeking nearness to Allah. It is a means of self-purification as well as a source of strength and patience.

It is mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al Baqarah, 2:43

And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

Zakah

Zakah (alms giving or charity) is the third pillar of Islam. The Arabic word zakah comes from the root letters “za-kaf-ya” meaning to purify to cleanse. A Muslim pays zakah on his yearly savings at the rate of 2.5 percent to the needy. This is not only a form of cleansing the wealth but also helps keep a check on the circulation of wealth in the society.

Allah says in the Quran in Surah al Baqarah, 2:110

And establish prayer and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah.

Fasting

Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory upon every sane, mature Muslim to refrain from eating and drinking and sexual relations from dawn to dusk while in the state of fast. This takes place in the month of Ramadan. The beginning of the month of fasting takes place by the sighting of the crescent. Fasting teaches self-restraint and creates Allah consciousness.

Allah says in Al Baqarah, 2: 183

Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Allah consciousness.

Hajj

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah which is obligatory once in the lifetime of a Muslim who can afford to make the journey. It is held in Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. The pilgrims follow the rituals in Hajj in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim while adoring a uniform dress code known as the ihram.

In Surah al Baqarah, 2:196 Allah says

And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah.

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Sahih Bukhari* is one of the Kutub al-Sittah (six major Hadith collections) of Sunni Islam, compiled by Persian scholar Muhammad bin Ismail al Bukhari.

Sahih Muslim** is one of the Kutub al-Sittah (six major Hadith collections) of Sunni Islam, compiled by Muslim bin Hajjaj.

Jami al Tirmizi*** is one of the Kutub al-Sittah (six major Hadith collections) of Sunni Islam, compiled by Muhammad bin Isa of Tirmiz.

Sunan Ibn Majah**** is one of the Kutub al-Sittah (six major Hadith collections) of Sunni Islam, compiled by Muhammad bin Yazid.

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