Islam stands on five special acts, just like a strong building stands on strong pillars. We call them the Five Pillars of Islam. Every Muslim tries to do them to please Allah.
| Pillar | What it means |
|---|---|
| Shahādah | Believing and saying the words of faith |
| Ṣalāh | Praying five times each day |
| Zakāh | Giving money to those in need |
| Ṣawm | Fasting in the month of Ramaḍān |
| Ḥajj | The pilgrimage to Makkah |
1. Shahādah
The Shahādah is the belief of a Muslim, said out loud with the heart truly believing it: there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger. It is the first and most important pillar.
2. Ṣalāh
Ṣalāh is prayer. Muslims pray to Allah five times every day — standing, bowing and placing our foreheads on the ground to show our love for Allah and thank Him. Prayer helps us remember Allah all through the day.
3. Zakāh
Zakāh means giving a small part of your money to people who are poor or in need. It helps the hungry, and keeps our hearts kind and generous.
4. Ṣawm
Ṣawm means fasting in the special month of Ramaḍān. Grown-up Muslims do not eat or drink from early morning until sunset. Fasting teaches us patience and helps us feel thankful for our food and remember the hungry.
5. Ḥajj
Ḥajj is a special journey, called a pilgrimage, to the city of Makkah. Muslims from all over the world go there to worship Allah together. It is for those who are able to make the journey and can afford it.