The Five Pillars of Islam

1.) Shahadah (Testimony of Faith)

Shahadah is the first pillar of Islam. It means to believe and declare the faith by saying the Shahadah, known as the Kalimah.
"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (s.a.w) is His Messenger." This is called the Shahada, which is the declaration of the Islamic faith. The Shahada is the acceptance of Allah, Muhammad, his prophet, and all of Islam as prescribed to us by Allah’s Messenger Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w).

2.) Salah (Daily Ritual Prayers)

Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam. Prayer is obligatory and must be performed five times a day. These five times are dawn (Fajr), immediately after noon (Dhuhr), mid-afternoon (‘Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and early night (Isha’).

3.) Zakah (Alms Tax for Poor)

The third pillar of Islam is the alms-tax (Zakah). Zakah is an Arabic word which literally means “purification” and in religious terminology it is understood to mean that a person “purifies” his holdings of wealth from greed and stinginess.

4.) Sawm (Fasting during the Month of Ramadhan)

The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting. Allah (s.w.t) has prescribed daily fasting for all able, adult Muslims during the month of 'Ramadan' which is during the lunar year. The fasting would also be known as the 'Sawm'. The Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and will not eat, drink or be sexually involved with their husband or wife.

5.) Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one’s lifetime. Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is physically fit and financially able to do so.