The hadith of the pillars

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim report that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said Islam is built on five things. They are the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, establishing the prayer, giving zakah, performing hajj to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.

A pillar holds up a building. In the same way, these five acts support a Muslim's faith and daily conduct.

Shahadah: the declaration of faith

The shahadah means believing and saying that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His messenger. It is the door to Islam and the base of every other pillar.

It is not only words. It means worshipping Allah alone and following the guidance that the Prophet ﷺ brought.

Anyone who says it sincerely, understanding its meaning, enters Islam. No special place or ceremony is needed.

Salah: the five daily prayers

Muslims pray five times a day, and each prayer keeps the heart connected to Allah. Prayer is done after wudu (ablution), facing the Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah.

The prayer times change with the place and the season, so use a trusted local timetable.

Prayer includes standing, bowing and prostrating, with recitation from the Quran. If you are new, learn the prayers slowly and ask a teacher or a friend at the mosque for help. A reminder: Allah values sincere effort, even when your prayer is not yet perfect.

Zakah: sharing wealth

Zakah is a duty on Muslims who own wealth above a minimum amount called the nisab for a full lunar year. The usual rate on savings is 2.5 percent. It is given to those in need and to the other groups named in Quran 9:60.

Zakah purifies the wealth of the giver and cares for the community. If your situation is complex, ask a qualified scholar how to calculate it.

Sawm and hajj

Sawm is fasting during the month of Ramadan. From dawn until sunset a Muslim avoids food, drink and marital relations, and also tries to improve character. People who are ill, travelling, or in some other valid situation have allowances, as Quran 2:183 to 2:185 explains.

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah. It is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is able to make the journey in health and with enough means. It brings Muslims from every nation together to worship in the same way.

How the pillars fit together

The shahadah is belief. The other four train the heart, body, wealth and time in obedience to Allah. Prayer builds daily discipline, zakah builds generosity, fasting builds patience, and hajj builds unity and humility.

You do not need to master them all at once. A new Muslim can begin with the shahadah and the prayers, and then learn the rest step by step.

General information for learning, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.

Sources

  • Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Faith)
  • Sahih Muslim (Book of Faith)
  • Quran 2:183-185
  • Quran 3:97
  • Quran 9:60