The 5 Pillars of Islam are the foundational acts of worship and principles that form the core of the Islamic faith. These pillars outline the essential practices and beliefs that every Muslim, whether Sunni or Shia, is obligated to follow. Denying or neglecting any of these pillars means one is not adhering to Islam properly. Let’s explore each of these pillars in detail, supported by Quranic verses and Hadith.
The 5 Pillars of Islam
- Shahada (Declaration of Faith)
- Salah (Prayer)
- Zakat (Charity)
- Sawm (Fasting)
- Hajj (Pilgrimage)
1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith)
The Shahada is the first and most important pillar of Islam. It is the declaration of faith that affirms the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Shahada in Arabic is:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله
“La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur rasulullah.”
“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
When someone reverts to Islam, the first step is to recite the Shahada:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْاَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَّآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَہٗ لَاشَرِيْكَ لَہٗ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهٗ وَرَسُولُہٗ
“Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah wah da hu – La Shari ka la hu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Abduho wa Rasulu.”
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and his Messenger.
Mention of Shahada in the Quran
Allah says:
شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
“Allah ˹Himself˺ is a Witness that there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—and so are the angels and people of knowledge. He is the Maintainer of justice. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—the Almighty, All-Wise.”
(Quran 9:18)
Allah also says:
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًۭا
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.”
(Quran 33:40)
Mention of Shahada in Hadith
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Islam is based on five (pillars): testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 1)
2. Salah (Prayer)
Salah, the second pillar, refers to the five daily obligatory prayers. It is a direct connection between a Muslim and Allah, offering spiritual reflection, gratitude, and submission.
The five prayers are:
- Fajr – Morning prayer before sunrise.
- Zuhr – Noon prayer.
- Asr – Afternoon prayer.
- Maghrib – Evening prayer after sunset.
- Isha – Night prayer.
Mention of Salah in the Quran
Allah says:
إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ
“It is truly I. I am Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Me. So worship Me ˹alone˺, and establish prayer for My remembrance.”
(Quran 20:14)
Mention of Salah in Hadith
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The difference between a Muslim and shirk and kufr is the abandoning of salah.”
(Sahih Muslim 82b)
3. Zakat (Charity)
Zakat, the third pillar, is the obligatory act of giving a portion of one’s wealth (typically 2.5%) to support the poor and needy. It promotes social welfare and economic equity.
Mention of Zakat in the Quran
Allah says:
إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ
“Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted ˹to the faith˺, for ˹freeing˺ slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for ˹needy˺ travellers. ˹This is˺ an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
(Quran 9:60)
Mention of Zakat in Hadith
The Hadith given below tells us about the Zakat/charity:
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) sent Mu`adh to Yemen and said, “Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (in twenty-four hours), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1395)
4. Sawm (Fasting)
Sawm, the fourth pillar, refers to fasting during the month of Ramadan. It fosters self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and empathy for the less fortunate.
Mention of Sawm in the Quran
Allah says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺.”
(Quran 2:183)
Mention of Sawm in Hadith
The Hadith that tells us about fasting is given below:
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1894)
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Hajj, the fifth pillar, is the pilgrimage to Mecca, obligatory for every Muslim who is physically and financially able.
Mention of Hajj in the Quran
Allah says:
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
“Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people. And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is not in need of ˹any of His˺ creation.”
(Quran 3:97)
Mention of Hajj in Hadith
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah on His devotees has become due on my father, and he is old and weak; may I perform Hajj on his behalf?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Yes, you may.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1513)
Conclusion
The 5 Pillars of Islam—Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj—are the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice. They guide believers toward spiritual growth, moral integrity, and social responsibility. By embracing these pillars, Muslims affirm their commitment to Allah, strengthen their connection with Him, and contribute to the well-being of society.
FAQs
1. What is the correct order of the 5 Pillars of Islam?
The correct order is:
- Shahada (Declaration of Faith)
- Salah (Prayer)
- Zakat (Charity)
- Sawm (Fasting)
- Hajj (Pilgrimage)
2. Can I perform Hajj on behalf of my father?
Yes, you can perform Hajj on behalf of your father if he is unable to do so, following the guidelines of Hajj Badal.
