The Five Pillars of Islam
With this handy guide, you can learn all about the Five Pillars of Islam and why they’re important to Muslims across the globe. What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
The Five Pillars of Islam are the most important Muslim practices.
They’re five obligations that every Muslim must follow and meet to live a good and responsible life according to their religion, Islam.
The Five Pillars Of Islam are in order:
1, Shahadah – the first pillar of Islam
2, Salah – the second pillar of Islam
3, Zakat– the third pillar
4, Sawm – the fourth pillar
5, Hajj – the fifth pillar
1 Shahadah “La ilaha illAllaah”
Profession of Faith. To become a Muslim, you must be able to sincerely recite the phrase, 'There is no god but God, and Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the Messenger of God' from the Qu’ran (Islam’s sacred text). This belief is central to Islam, which is why it’s one of the Five
2, Salat “Prayer”
Praying is another important part of Islam and one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which is why Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca. They pray at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Sometimes they pray alone, and sometimes they pray together in a mosque.
3 Zakat “Alms Giving”
Donating to charity and community members in need is an essential part of the Islamic faith. According to Islamic law, Muslims have to donate a portion of their income to those more in need. For this reason, many wealthy Muslims will build mosques, drinking fountains, hospitals, schools and more for their community.
4, Sawm “Fasting”
During Ramadan, all healthy Muslims will fast in the daytime. This means they don’t eat food or drink until the sun goes down. The fast reminds them of everything that God has done for their lives and encourages gratitude. It’s also a reminder to help those who are less fortunate.
5, Hajj “Pilgrimage”
Every Muslim who is well enough to go must make at least one visit to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in their lifetime. During this pilgrimage, they should visit the Haram Mosque, where the Ka’ba is. This is a cubical structure with black embroidered hangings. Muslims believe that it is the house Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) built for God, so they face its direction when they pray. Believers of the Islamic faith have gathered around the Ka’ba ever since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). There is a dedicated month for the pilgrimage, called Dhu al-Hijjah or Dhu Al-Hijra.
Why are the Five Pillars of Islam Important?
The Five Pillars are a set of religious duties that Muslims use as a framework for their belief and their life. They weave these duties into their everyday activities and the way they act as a way to show their religious devotion and prove their sincere belief.
In Islam, belief alone isn't enough, however. Muslims must show the sincerity of their belief through their actions, which is why they strictly follow the Five Pillars of Islam.
By carrying out the obligations outlined in the Five Pillars, Muslims show their dedication and devotion to Islam. They aren't simply fitting their belief around a secular life, they value their faith and prioritise it in their daily actions.
Furthermore, the Five Pillars are the foundation of Islam. The concept is often seen as a metaphor which describes Islam as a monument held up by its Five Pillars.