Five Pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam are accepted by Muslims globally irrespective of ethnic, regional or sectarian differences and constitute the basic norms of Islamic practice. They bind together a worldwide community of believers into a fellowship of shared values and concerns.
- Declaration of Faith (Shahada)
- Prayer (Salah)
- Charity (Zakat)
- Fasting (Sawm)
- Pilgrimage (Hajj)
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Five Pillars Explained
The declaration of faith (the shahada) is the most fundamental expression of Islamic beliefs. It simply states that “There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet.” It underscores the monotheistic nature of Islam. It is an extremely popular phrase in Arabic calligraphy and appears in numerous manuscripts and religious buildings.
Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. This does not mean that we need to attend a mosque to pray; rather, the salat, or the daily prayer, should be recited five times a day. Muslims can pray anywhere; however, we are meant to pray towards Mecca. The faithful pray by bowing several times while standing and then kneeling and touching the ground or prayer mat with their foreheads, as a symbol of their reverence and submission to Allah. On Friday, Muslims attend a mosque near midday to pray and to listen to a sermon (khutba).
Zakat is a charity God obligates Muslims to pay yearly based on their money and property. Its payment is made to the poor, vulnerable, and deserving as their divinely established right. With the word's literal meaning being 'to cleanse,' Muslims believe that paying Zakat purifies, increases and blesses the remainder of their wealth. Muslims believe that they are meant to share their wealth with those less fortunate in their community of believers.
During the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk. While exceptions are made for the sick, elderly, and pregnant, all are expected to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
All Muslims who are able must make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites at least once in their lives. Pilgrimage focuses on visiting the Kaaba and walking around it seven times. The pilgrimage occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar.