Five Pillars of Islam

After belief in God and the Prophet, four practices enjoy the status of pillars of Islam—fasting, prayers, zakah (almsgiving) and the hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).

The Prophet Muhammad has said:

 “The foundation of Islam has been laid on five principles: to bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His Prophet; to offer prayers (salah); to give alms (zakah); to perform the Hajj and to keep the fast during Ramadan.”

These five principles form the pillars of Islam. Just as a house stands on pillars, so does the Islamic faith on these tenets. However, the performance of these rituals is not all that is desired. Much more important is the true spirit in which these are performed. Without the spirit, the form is meaningless. All these different observances–faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and Pilgrimage–are not mere rituals but are the source of receiving the choicest divine blessings.

Prayer is an exercise in physical and mental prostration before God, aimed at banishing all notions of personal greatness. Fasting teaches one to be steadfast in one’s trust in God. Charity entails recognising the claim of others upon oneself, and sharing God’s bounty with others. The Pilgrimage serves to unite God’s servants around their Maker.