Discover the Five Pillars of Islam, their meaning, and their importance in a Muslim’s life. Learn how these pillars form the foundation of Islam as explained in the Quran and Hadith.
Find out why each pillar is essential for building faith, worship, and a strong connection with Allah (SWT).
Let’s explore 5 pillars of Islam according to the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
On the authority of Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say:
“Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.”
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
Five Pillars of Islam are the most important Islamic practices. The 5 Pillars of Islam are:
- Shahada (Faith)
- Salah (Prayer)
- Zakat (Charity)
- Sawm (Fasting)
- Hajj (Pilgrimage)
5 Pillars of Islam – Meaning
The Five Pillars of Islam are called “pillars” because they hold up a Muslim’s faith, just like pillars hold up a building. The Five Pillars of Islam are the main duties that are compulsory on every Muslim to follow. The five pillars of Islam are Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj.
Why are the Five Pillars of Islam Important??
The Five Pillars of Islam are of great importance for every Muslim because they are the foundation of one’s faith. These five pillars teach the way of life for a Muslim. By following them, Muslims strengthen their connection with Allah (SWT), show kindness to others, and remain grateful for the blessings. These pillars also teach patience, and discipline. They help Muslims live in a way that pleases Allah (SWT).
The first pillar, Shahada, is the declaration of belief in the oneness of Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as His messenger. The second pillar of Islam is Salah. It is praying five times a day to remember Allah (SWT). The third pillar is Zakat. It is the act of giving charity or alms to the poor.
The fourth pillar of Islam is sawm or fasting. Sawm is fasting in Ramadan to learn self-control. The last and fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj. It is the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime if possible. Together, these pillars guide Muslims to live a good, obedient, and meaningful life.
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First Pillar of Islam (Shahada) - Declaration of Faith
Shahada is the declaration of faith in one God (Allah Almighty) and His messenger (Prophet Muhammad PBUH). As the first pillar of Islam, Shahada holds great importance. It is the foundation stone towards the submission to Allah (SWT) and an announcement as a true follower to the faith.
Shahada is the first act a newly Muslim (revert) performs to join Islam. It is an acknowledgment of a person’s commitment to Islam. Intent or Niyyah is very important before Shahada (declaration of faith). It means that one must recite it sincerely with both mind and heart.
Shahada with English Translation and Transliteration:
Shahada in Arabic: 
Transliteration: “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah, Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu-Allah.”
Translation: “I bear witness that there is no God but God (Allah – i.e. there is none worthy of worship but Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Muslims recite Tashahhud (which contains Shahada) in each of the five daily prayers. The first part is to testify and affirm the oneness of Allah (SWT) and the second part is to acknowledge and belief in the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the Allah’s Messenger. It also highlights Muslim that not to associate anyone with Allah (SWT).
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Second Pillar of Islam is (Salah) - Prayer
Salah is an act of worship and an obligatory prayer that a Muslim must perform 5 times a day, at fixed times. It is a practice to make a direct link between a worshipper and the Creator. The time of Salah falls between dawn and midnight. The timings of performing Salah are based on your location and time of the year. The five compulsory prayers are:
- Fajr Prayer?– starts at dawn and ends at sunrise.
- Zuhr Prayer?– mid-day, starts once the sun has passed the highest point and lasts until Asr.
- Asr Prayer?– begins in the late afternoon and ends a little before the sun begins to set.
- Maghrib Prayer?- starts after sunset once the sun dips below the horizon.
- Isha Prayer?– starts after Maghrib time (the disappearance of red afterglow) and lasts until midnight.
Before praying Salah, a person needs to purify himself through Wudu. Azan is broadcasted from the mosque to call people for Salah. Salah can be performed anywhere clean, though mosques are the primary place of congregational worship led by a learned person.
During Salah, the mind should be free from worldly thoughts. Salah shows us that there’s no one greater than Allah (SWT) and we only need to prostrate (perform sujud) to Him. It is the reminder that everyone is created by Allah (SWT) and we’ll return to him.
3. Third Pillar of Islam (Zakat) - Almsgiving
The literal meaning of Zakat is “to purify” or “to cleanse”. It is the third pillar of Islam, requiring every Muslim to pay 2.5% of their wealth (gold, silver, cash or property) over a certain limit to the needy.
According to Islam, Zakat purifies one’s wealth and grows it to a great extent. Donating this amount as charity removes problems and difficulties from a person’s life. According to Hadith:
“Wealth never decreases because of charity.”
?[Muslim, 2588]
Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur’an:
“The example of those who spend in the way of Allah is just like a grain that produced seven ears, each ear having a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (the reward) for whom He wills. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.”
In another Hadith it is said that Zakat is the means of salvation on the resurrection day. Islam emphasizes on giving Zakat and Alms to the poor. It creates a balance in society by distribution of the wealth and fosters equality.
4. Fourth Pillar of Islam (Sawm) - Fasting
Sawm is an Arabic word that means to fast. Every Muslim who is over the age of puberty is required to fast during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of Islamic calendar). It is the practice to abstain from food, drinks, sexual activity, or any impure thoughts and practice. By following the habit of virtuousness this month, Muslim learn Taqwa, self-discipline and refrain from evil throughout the year.
In Quran, it is stated that:
“It was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong. So, any one of you who is present that month should fast, and anyone who is ill or on a journey should make up for the lost days by fasting on other days later. God wants ease for you, not hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him for having guided you, so that you may be thankful.”
Sawm or fasting provides opportunity for the Muslims to acquire the sense of control over their basic needs, desires and distractions. And it provides a heightened sense of introspection and the purpose of life, that is to worship the Allah Almighty (SWT). In this Hadith the act of fasting is said to be rewarded by Allah (SWT):
“Fasting is for Me, and I will reward (the fasting person) for it.”
Hadith | Bukhari
Fasting is exempt for those who are ill, traveling, women who are expecting a child, and chronically unable to fast (e.g., the elderly). They need to make up for the equal number of days in the later year. If they’re unable to fast permanently, they need to provide (Fidya) feed a person for each missed day.
Although fasting is beneficial for health, it is basically for self purification.
5- Fifth Pillar of Islam (Hajj) - The Pilgrimage
The fifth and last Pillar of Islam is called Hajj. Hajj takes place during the month of Dhul Hijjah (the twelfth month in the Islamic Calendar). It begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah (SWT) commands Muslims to take this sacred journey:
“You will enter the Sacred Masjid, God willing, perfectly secure, and you will cut your hair or shorten it (as you fulfil the pilgrimage rituals) there. You will not have any fear. Since He knew what you did not know, He has coupled this with an immediate victory.”
Every year, around two million Muslims travel to Makkah from all parts of the world to perform Hajj, creating a special opportunity for people of different nations to come together.
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the dates of Hajj and Ramadan shift each year, sometimes falling in summer and sometimes in winter. During Hajj, pilgrims wear simple white garments that remove differences of class, wealth, and culture, showing that all people are equal before Allah.
The rituals of Hajj, dating back to Prophet Ibrahim (AS), include circling the Ka‘ba seven times and walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, just as Hajar (AS) did while searching for water for her son. Pilgrims then gather on the plain of Arafah, standing together in prayer and seeking Allah’s forgiveness, a moment often described as a reminder of the Day of Judgment.
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Now that you’ve learned the Five Pillars of Islam, you can move on to learn how to do Wudu, how to perform Salah, short surahs of the Holy Quran, regular prayers, Ramadan Prayers and the Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This will strengthen your faith and help you follow the teachings of the Quran and Islam for mercy and blessings in this world and the Hereafter.
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