The five pillars of Islam

The pillars of faith are what you believe. The five pillars of Islam are what you do: the main acts of worship that hold up a Muslim's life, the way pillars hold up a building. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, summed them up in a short hadith that begins with these words:

Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj to the (Sacred) House, and fasting Ramadān.

Sahih al-Bukhari 8 and Sahih Muslim 16 (agreed upon)

You met the same five in the hadith of Jibril earlier in this step. When Jibril asked about Islam, the Prophet named these five acts, with fasting before Hajj (Sahih Muslim 8). Authentic narrations mention the last two in either order. This lesson follows the order of the hadith of Jibril.

The five pillars

1. Shahada (ash-shahadah): declaring that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. You have already done this, and you learned its words and meaning earlier in this step.

2. Prayer (as-salah): five prayers every day and night, each at its set time.

3. Zakah (az-zakah): a yearly share of savings that have reached a set minimum, given to people in need.

4. Fasting Ramadan (sawm Ramadan): during the month of Ramadan, no food, no drink, and no marital relations from dawn until sunset (Quran 2:187).

5. Hajj (al-hajj): the pilgrimage to the Kaaba, the House of Allah in Makkah, for those who are able to make the journey.

Notice the word the Prophet used for prayer: iqam as-salah, establishing the prayer. It means praying properly, the way he taught, and keeping it up. The Quran uses the same words: "And establish prayer and give zakah" (Quran 2:43).

How often each pillar comes

• Shahada: you have said it, and you repeat it in every prayer.

• Prayer: five times every day and night.

• Zakah: once a year, and only if your savings reach the minimum amount.

• Fasting: one month each year, the month of Ramadan.

• Hajj: once in a lifetime, if you are able.

Seen this way, the pillars are lighter than they sound. The next lesson explains each one, with its evidence, and how to grow into it.

Islam, iman, and ihsan

The hadith of Jibril has a third level. After Islam (what you do) and iman (what you believe), Jibril asked about ihsan, excellence in worship. The Prophet said:

It is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He sees you.

Sahih Muslim 8

You do not need to reach this all at once. Ihsan is a direction to grow toward, one prayer at a time.

Say them from memory

In the last lesson of this step, you will see what each pillar means for you and how to grow into them at your own pace.