What Are The 5 Pillars of Islam - The five pillars of Islam, also called arkān al-Islām or arkān al-dīn, are the five basic acts in Islam which are mandatory for every Muslim believer. Belief in these 5 pillars of Islam is the foundation of Muslim life, and every Muslim must fulfill these primary obligations in their lifetime. If you are new to Islam and do not know what are the 5 pillars of Islam, then you must first understand the meaning and importance of these five basic pillars. These pillars form the basis of Islamic teachings and way of life and are listed below:

The Five pillars of Islam

Tauhid or Oneness of Allah and Prophethood

Tauhid, or Unity of Allah is the declaration that there is no god but Allah. Tauhid also attests the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah and that Allah alone is the Sovereign and there is no other Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
The Holy Quran also highlights the concept of Tauhid numerous times. In the first chapter of the Holy Quran, Surah Fatihah, it is said:

"You alone do we worship and You alone do we ask for help."
 

Prayer or Worship

Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and has great importance in Islam. Prayer or salat is the foremost duty of all Muslims and it is one of the chief pillars on which the structure of Islam stands. Prayer is the most important feature which distinguishes a Muslim from a non-Muslim.

The Holy Quran talks about prayer multiple times and has laid greatest emphasis on it. The Holy Prophet also talked about prayer time and again. He said:

"What stands between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of salat."
 

Fasting or Saum

Fasting is the third pillar of Islam and it was made obligatory on Muslims in 2 A.H. Fasting is next in importance after prayer. Fasting is prescribed for Muslims in the form of a month long abstinence from food and drink and is prescribed to teach us self-restraint and to make us righteous and God-fearing.

The Holy Quran mentions fasting at several occasions:

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may be righteous." (2:183)
 

Zakat

The word Zakat is derived from the word 'Zaka' which means to purify. When a person gives charity, their heart is purified from the love of wealth. The Holy Quran has given severe warnings to those who pile up wealth and withhold Zakat. Zakat has been described by the Holy Prophet as wealth taken from the rich and given to the poor. Zakat is the backbone of the Islamic economic system. Zakat is the second most important pillars of Islam, the first being Salat or prayer. When a Muslim regularly pays the obligatory charity or Zakat, he performs his duty and discharges his obligation towards poor Muslims.
 

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage or journey to the House of Allah (Holy Kaabah), in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, constitutes the fifth and last acts of worship as prescribed by Islam. Pilgrimage or Haj, is a form of worship which constitutes the entire being of a Muslim. It is done with his mind, body and soul, with his time, money and sacrifice of all comforts of life, to assume for a few days, the condition of a pilgrim totally at Allah's disposal.

Belief in these five pillars of Islam and implementing them in the daily life is the duty of every true Muslim.

Last Updated: 21/7/2015