The Five Pillars of Islam - The Arkan al-Islam, also called the 5 Pillars of Islam, outline the basics of Muslim worship or 'Ibadah'.

The Quran states:
“I (Allah) created…..humankind only that they might worship Me” (51:56).

The Islamic edifice is raised on the five fundamental pillars. They are the real essence and the backbone of the Islamic way of life. Every Muslim is supposed to understand their meanings and to practice them daily in life.

The Five Pillars in Islam consist of:-

1)    Shahadat: Declaration that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah and Muhammad (p.b.u.h) is His slave and apostle.
2)    Salat: The prescribed prayers, five times a day.
3)    Saum: Fasting during the month of Ramadhan.
4)    Zakat: Obligatory charity, helping the needy by giving alms.
5)    Hajj: Pilgrimage to Makkah, once in life, if and when the circumstances permit.

Ibn Umar reported, Allah’s Apostle said, “Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
1) To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad (p.b.u.h) is Allah’s Apostle.
2) To offer (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3) To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity).
4) To observe fast during the Holy month.
5) To perform Hajj (i.e. pilgrimage to Makkah)

Just as the pillars bear the burden of a building, these principles, according to the teachings of the Prophet (p.b.u.h), are the basis of piety and a virtuous worldly life. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) has taught that only difference between individuals is the extent of their piety and not their colour or their social status that they enjoy in this world.

The purpose of the Islamic worship is to strengthen the Muslims' faith and the sense of submission to Allah, to discipline a Muslim for his role as Allah's faithful servant and vicegerent on Earth, and to reinforce the ties of brotherhood and affection among Muslims.

These acts of worship and pillars require the participation of all aspects of human's nature; his soul, his mind, his feelings, his body, his time, his energy and his possessions. They demand the worship of Allah with all faculties of an individual. For example, the declaration of faith is to be present always in the mind and heart of a Muslim and is to be uttered again and again with tongue during his daily prayers. Prayers are to be performed five times daily, everyday of a man's life. Fasting is for a full month every year, while Zakat or poor-due is to be paid once yearly and the pilgrimage is to be performed once in a lifetime, if possible.

These aspects of Islamic worship and the total involvement of human beings make them extremely unique. They are a complete expression of man's dependence and submission to Allah's Will, his humility before His Creator and his desire to serve and obey Him alone.
In observance of these pillars, there is punctuality, regularity, orderliness, uniformity and an exhibition of complete equality.

Last Updated: 21/7/2015