How To Guides

Pillar 1 of 5

الشَّهَادَة

Shahada — Faith

Ash-Shahādah

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

• Saying it with conviction is how a person becomes Muslim — no ceremony or paperwork is needed.
• Everything else rests on it: the other four pillars are acts of worship built on this belief.

Pillar 2 of 5

الصَّلَاة

Salah — Prayer

Aṣ-Ṣalāh

الفجر · الظهر · العصر · المغرب · العشاءFajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha — dawn to nightfall.

• It is the first deed a person will be asked about, and the pillar you meet most often.
• Every prayer begins with wudu, the short washing that prepares you for it.

Pillar 3 of 5

الزَّكَاة

Zakat — Charity

Az-Zakāh

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ“Establish prayer and give zakat.” — Quran 2:43

• Due on wealth held above the nisab threshold for a full lunar year.
• It goes to the eight groups named in Quran 9:60, starting with the poor and the needy.

Pillar 4 of 5

الصَّوْم

Sawm — Fasting

Aṣ-Ṣawm

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ“Fasting has been prescribed for you.” — Quran 2:183

• From dawn to sunset: no food, no drink and no marital relations.
• The sick, travellers and others with a valid reason are excused and make it up later.

Pillar 5 of 5

الحَجّ

Hajj — Pilgrimage

Al-Ḥajj

وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah.” — Quran 3:97

• Performed in Makkah during the days of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year.
• Required only of adults who are physically and financially able to make the journey.