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What are the 5 pillars of Islam?

Short answerThe five pillars of Islam are: the declaration of faith (there is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God), establishing the five daily prayers, paying zakat (obligatory charity), fasting in Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Makkah for those able to go. The Prophet ﷺ described them as the foundation of the religion, joining devotion to God, kindness to people and self-discipline.

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The foundational hadith

Hadith
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَالْحَجِّ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ

Islam is built upon five: testifying that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, establishing prayer, paying zakat, performing Hajj, and fasting Ramadan.

Al-Bukhari 8, Muslim 16

1. The Shahada

The key to entering Islam: “I bear witness that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” It means worshipping God alone and accepting the Prophet’s ﷺ message.

2. Prayer (Salah)

Five prayers each day and night, a direct link between the servant and his Lord.

Quran
فَإِذَا قَضَيۡتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمٗا وَقُعُودٗا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمۡۚ فَإِذَا ٱطۡمَأۡنَنتُمۡ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ كِتَٰبٗا مَّوۡقُوتٗا

Wenn ihr das Gebet vollzogen habt, dann gedenkt Allahs stehend, sitzend und auf der Seite (liegend). Wenn ihr in Ruhe seid, dann verrichtet das Gebet (wie üblich). Das Gebet ist den Gläubigen zu bestimmten Zeiten vorgeschrieben.

An-Nisa 4:103

3. Zakat

An obligatory charity from those who are able, a set share of savings above a minimum threshold (2.5% of qualifying wealth held for a lunar year) given to the poor and needy, purifying wealth and the soul and building solidarity.

4. Fasting in Ramadan

Muslims fast during Ramadan from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink and other invalidators as an act of worship.

Quran
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

O die ihr glaubt, vorgeschrieben ist euch das Fasten, so wie es denjenigen vor euch vorgeschrieben war, auf daß ihr gottesfürchtig werden möget.

Al-Baqarah 2:183

5. Hajj

A pilgrimage to Makkah in set days, required once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able. Muslims from every corner of the earth gather in simple, uniform garments.

Quran
فِيهِ ءَايَٰتُۢ بَيِّنَٰتٞ مَّقَامُ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنٗاۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلٗاۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ

Darin liegen klare Zeichen. (Es ist) der Standort Ibrahims. Und wer es betritt, ist sicher. Und Allah steht es den Menschen gegenüber zu, daß sie die Pilgerfahrt zum Hause unternehmen - (diejenigen,) die dazu die Möglichkeit haben. Wer aber ungläubig ist, so ist Allah der Weltenbewohner Unbedürftig.

Aal Imran 3:97

Häufige Fragen

What is the difference between the pillars of Islam and the articles of faith?

The pillars of Islam are five outward acts; the articles of faith are six beliefs of the heart: belief in God, His angels, books, messengers, the Last Day and divine decree.

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