The foundational hadith
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَالْحَجِّ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَIslam 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.
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.
فَإِذَا قَضَيۡتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمٗا وَقُعُودٗا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمۡۚ فَإِذَا ٱطۡمَأۡنَنتُمۡ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ كِتَٰبٗا مَّوۡقُوتٗا3. 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.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ5. 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.
فِيهِ ءَايَٰتُۢ بَيِّنَٰتٞ مَّقَامُ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنٗاۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلٗاۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَFrequently asked questions
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.
Quran text and translations: QuranEnc. Hadith translations: HadeethEnc. Sources are shown on each item. Found a mistake? Tell us.