The pillars describe what a Muslim does. What a Muslim believes, such as faith in God, the angels, the prophets and the Day of Judgment, is covered in our guide to the beliefs of Islam. Together, belief and practice form the basis of Muslim life. Here are the five pillars in order:
1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith)
The shahada is the declaration that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. It is the foundation of Islam: a person becomes Muslim by sincerely believing and declaring it, and Muslims repeat it often, including in their daily prayers.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
"Ash-hadu an la ilaha illAllah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulAllah"
"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
The first part affirms tawhid, the Oneness of God. The second affirms that Muhammad ﷺ was sent as God's messenger, and that his example, the Sunnah, is a guide for life. If you are thinking about saying the shahada or have just said it, our new Muslim guide explains what it means and what to do next.
2. Salah (Prayer)
Salah is the ritual prayer Muslims perform five times a day: Fajr at dawn, Dhuhr after midday, Asr in the afternoon, Maghrib after sunset and Isha at night. Each prayer is made up of set movements, standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting, with recitation from the Qur'an in Arabic. Before praying, Muslims perform wudu, a ritual washing of specific parts of the body. Prayer can be offered alone or with others, and on Fridays many Muslims attend the midday Jumu'ah prayer at a mosque. Muslims face the Ka'bah in Makkah when they pray, and our qibla finder shows that direction from wherever you are. For prayer times, units and the words said in each position, see our step-by-step guide to salah.
3. Zakat (Charity)
Zakat is a yearly payment of 2.5% on savings and other qualifying wealth, given to people in need. It becomes due once a person's wealth has stayed above a minimum amount, called the nisab, for one lunar year. The word zakat is linked to purification and growth, and Muslims see it as a way of purifying their wealth and caring for the wider community. The Qur'an names eight groups who may receive zakat (Qur'an 9:60), including the poor, the needy and people in debt. Many Muslims pay zakat in Ramadan, though it is due whenever their zakat year is complete. Our free zakat calculator helps you add up savings, gold, silver and investments and compare them with the nisab. Rules on some assets vary, so ask a scholar about your own situation.
4. Sawm (Fasting in Ramadan)
Sawm is fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (Qur'an 2:183 to 2:185). From dawn until sunset each day, Muslims do not eat, drink or have marital relations, and they try to take extra care over their words and actions. The day usually begins with a pre-dawn meal called suhoor and ends at sunset with iftar, often shared with family and friends. Ramadan is also a month of extra prayer, Qur'an recitation and charity, and it ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year. Some people, such as those who are ill or travelling, may be excused from fasting; scholars explain the details, so ask a local imam if this applies to you. Our Ramadan guide and dates covers the month in more depth.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, required once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able (Qur'an 3:97). It takes place each year in Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, and brings together millions of Muslims from around the world. Pilgrims enter a state of consecration called ihram and follow rites linked to the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family, including a day of prayer and remembrance at Arafah and walking around the Ka'bah. The Day of Arafah is followed by Eid al-Adha, which Muslims everywhere celebrate, whether or not they are on pilgrimage. Many Muslims save and prepare for years before they go. For the expected dates of Dhul Hijjah and Eid al-Adha, see our Islamic holidays calendar.
Why the Five Pillars Matter
The pillars give shape to a Muslim's life. Prayer marks each day, Friday brings the community together, Ramadan and zakat come round each year, and Hajj is a journey many hope to make once in their lives. They combine personal worship with care for others: the same faith that asks a person to pray also asks them to give to people in need. They also connect Muslims around the world, who pray toward the same place, fast in the same month and share the same declaration of faith. For many Muslims, the pillars are a starting point, with good character and kindness built on top of them.
More About the Basics of Islam
- What is Islam? The word Islam comes from the Arabic root s-l-m, which carries two meanings: submission and peace.
- Who is Allah? "Allah" is the Arabic word for God. Read about tawhid and the six articles of faith, and the 99 names of Allah with their meanings.
- The Qur'an is the central text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of God. Explore the Qur'an.
- The Sunnah is the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, recorded in hadith. Learn how hadith are recorded and graded.
- Islam and culture. Not every custom found among Muslims comes from the religion. Our guide to Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) explains how scholars work out rulings and why they sometimes differ.
Five Pillars FAQ
What are the five pillars of Islam?
The five pillars of Islam are the shahada, the declaration that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger; salah, the five daily prayers; zakat, a yearly payment to people in need; sawm, fasting from dawn to sunset in Ramadan; and Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able. They are the core acts of worship in Islam.
Are the five pillars in the Qur'an?
The Qur'an commands each of these acts of worship: belief in God and His Messenger, prayer, zakat, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj. The list of five as pillars comes from a well known hadith narrated by Ibn Umar, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, in which the Prophet ﷺ said Islam is built on five. Scholars use this hadith to describe the pillars.
Which pillar is the most important?
The shahada is the foundation that the other pillars rest on, because it is the declaration of faith that makes a person Muslim. The other four are acts of worship that grow out of that belief. Rather than ranking them, many teachers encourage new learners to understand each one and build up their practice gradually, with guidance from a knowledgeable teacher.
Are the five pillars the same for Shia Muslims?
The five pillars are the framework Sunni Muslims use to describe the core practices of Islam. Shia Muslims share these acts of worship, but they organise their core beliefs and practices differently. This page follows the Sunni framework. If you want to understand Shia teaching in detail, it is best to learn from its own scholars and sources rather than from a short summary.
Is Hajj required for everyone?
No. Hajj is required once in a lifetime only for adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey. Someone who cannot travel because of health, cost or other serious barriers is not expected to go. Many Muslims save for years before making the pilgrimage. If you are unsure whether it applies to you yet, ask a local imam or scholar.
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This page is a general guide. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar.
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