The Five Pillars of Islam

The Shahada is the Muslim declaration of faith. It is the entry point into Islam and the most fundamental statement of belief.

• • Recited in the Adhan (call to prayer) and Iqamah five times daily
• • Whispered into a newborn's ear at birth
• • Recited by a person converting to Islam to formally enter the faith
• • Muslims strive to have the Shahada be their final words

Salah is the ritual prayer performed five times every day. It is the most regular act of worship in Islam, maintaining a Muslim's connection with Allah throughout the day.

• • Fajr — before sunrise (2 fard rak'ahs)
• • Dhuhr — after midday (4 fard rak'ahs)
• • Asr — mid-afternoon (4 fard rak'ahs)
• • Maghrib — after sunset (3 fard rak'ahs)
• • Isha — at night (4 fard rak'ahs)

Zakat is the obligatory annual payment of 2.5% of qualifying wealth to those in need. It purifies wealth and redistributes resources within the Muslim community.

• • Applies to Muslims who hold wealth above the nisab for a full lunar year
• • Standard rate: 2.5% of savings, gold, silver, and trade goods
• • 8 categories of recipients defined in Quran 9:60
• • Distinct from Sadaqah (voluntary charity), which is always encouraged

Sawm is the complete abstention from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan. It cultivates taqwa (God-consciousness) and empathy with those in need.

• • Obligatory for all adult Muslims who are healthy and not travelling
• • Exemptions: illness, travel, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation, old age
• • Those who miss days must make them up (qadha) or pay fidya if unable
• • Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in the month of Dhul Hijjah. It is obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able.

• • Performed in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th Islamic month)
• • Includes Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'bah), Sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and standing at Arafat
• • Eid al-Adha falls on 10 Dhul Hijjah — observed globally, not only by pilgrims
• • Those who cannot travel may perform Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) at other times of year