Five Pillars

In Islam any action done with the knowledge it fulfils the will of God is worship. However, the prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) taught that there are 5 fundamental practices upon which the rest of a person’s good actions are built.

1. Testimony of Faith

2. 5 Daily Devotional Prayers

3. Fasting in the month of Ramadan

4. Payment of Zakat

5. Pilgrimage

Brief Explanation…

1) Testimony– To utter the statement:

“Ash-hadu An Laa Ilaaha Illa-Allah, Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasuluhu.” This means, “I testify that there is no god worthy of worship, Except God (Allah), and I testify that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.”

It is the most important pillar of Islam. To believe and utter it means one has become Muslim.

2) Daily devotional prayers – The 5 prayers are the next most important pillar as it is the right of God upon his slave. It keeps a person connected to God spiritually and is a means of forgiveness of sins as well as protection from wrong actions.

3) Fasting in the month of Ramadan – The fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan is performed by Muslims who are able. Food, drink, and marital relations are prohibited from dawn till dusk. The month of Ramadan is a chance for spiritual cleansing and enables Muslims the world over to come together in a spirit of seeking God’s pleasure.

4) Payment of Zakat – Paying an annual amount of 2.5% of one’s surplus wealth to the poor and needy. This is a system to help address the needs of the less fortunate and to help the state to continue to run. There is no income tax in Islam and Muslims believe this system of Zakat is sufficient to deal with the financial imbalances of society as it has been prescribed by the Creator Himself.

5) Pilgrimage – To perform pilgrimage rites in the land of Mecca, following the footsteps of Abraham (peace be upon him), once in a lifetime if able. This is culmination of spiritual and physical exertion and leaves a deep impact on the individual if it is performed with due consideration. The most rewarding and noble acts of worship in front of the Creator, recompensed with a complete forgiveness of each and every act of sin one has committed.