The Five Pillars of Faith in Islam

Testimony of Faith (Shahadah), Prayer, Charity, Fasting and Hajj

Nov 15, 2008

Islam teaches that faith without action is futile. Five religious obligations called the Pillars of Faith are incumbent upon every Muslim.

These duties help form the foundation of an observant Muslim's daily life. Religious duties include declaring one's faith, observing daily prayer, giving alms, fasting the month of Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage must be performed only once in a Muslim's lifetime.

Islam is based on belief and worship of One God (Allah), the Creator, and belief that Muhammad is the last in a long line of prophets and messengers. Muslims affirm their belief by declaring the shahadah, or testimony of faith: "I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his Messenger."

This statement is repeated several times throughout the day. When saying the shahadah, a Muslim acknowledges both his submission to God the Creator and his acceptance of Prophet Muhammad's teachings.

The shahadah also implies a Muslim's belief in Islam's other articles of faith, including belief in the angels, belief in the scriptures, belief in all the prophets, belief in the afterlife, and belief in divine decree.

A Muslim observes five obligatory daily prayers (salat) at set times: sunrise (fajr), noon (dhur), mid-afternoon ('asr), sunset (maghrib), and evening ('isha). In addition to helping Muslims remember God throughout the day, the five prayers offer Muslims the opportunity to draw closer to God, ask His forgiveness, and make personal supplications.

Although formal prayers are recited in Arabic, the language of the Qur'an's revelation, supplications may be made in any language.

A Muslim's wealth and earnings are considered to be a trust from God, and from them he is obligated to give to the poor and needy. There is both obligatory alms-giving (zakat) and voluntary charity (sadaqah).

Zakat is typically calculated annually at 2.5 percent of the value of personal assets which are in excess of one's needs. Zakat may be paid in a lump sum or distributed over the course of a year, and may be given directly to a needy person or paid to a fund. Many Muslims follow the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad and pay their zakat annually during the month of Ramadan.

Other charitable contributions and acts (sadaqah) are optional but highly recommended.

Fasting (sawm) the holy month of Ramadan each year is required of all Muslims who are physically able to do so. Proper fasting involves abstaining from food, drink, sexual intimacy, smoking, and other vices from sunrise to sunset.

Muslims who cannot fast due to illness, travel, pregnancy, breastfeeding and other conditions are expected to make up the missed days of fasting when able. If the condition preventing a person from fasting is chronic or permanent, a Muslim should give charity for each missed day as expiation.

A pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able. During hajj, which occurs annually in the twelfth lunar month of Dhul Hijja, millions of Muslims from all social classes and cultures unite for prayer and rituals which date back to the time of Prophet Abraham.

Putting Faith into Action

Putting faith into action is integral to an Islamic way of life, and the means by which a Muslim hopes to earn God's Mercy and the reward of Paradise in the afterlife. The five pillars of faith provide a strong foundation for this, but Muslims should strive to stay mindful and obedient to God in all that they do.

The copyright of the article The Five Pillars of Faith in Islam in Islamic Practices is owned by Christine Benlafquih. Permission to republish The Five Pillars of Faith in Islam in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.