How to Practice the Five Pillars of Islam

The foundations of Islam are the Five Pillars of Faith. Every Muslim is obligated to perform each pillar. The only exception to obligation is Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca. That is required if one is physically and/or financially able to do so.

Things You'll Need

• Qur'an in Arabic
• Learn Arabic

Instructions

The Five Pillars of Islam

1. 

   Proclaim "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is his Prophet." The First Pillar, Profession of Faith, Shahadah affirms in the face of temptation that only God is worthy of worship and that Muhammad, a human being, brought God's message.

2. 

   Pray five times a day at prescribed times. Prayer, Salat reminds Muslims of their global community as all Muslims pray at the same time. Those who pray are directly linked to God. Call to Prayer occurs at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall.

3. 

   Perform financial obligation, Zakat. Muslims are called to set aside calculated portions of their earnings for those less fortunate among them. This is in direct response to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who prescribed, "'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. " Offering Zakat also purifies what a Muslim retains.

4. 

   Fast during Ramadan, Sawm. During the month of Ramadan, all who are able fast daily from dawn to dusk. Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual relations. Those who are excepted are the ill, travelers, women who are menstruating and the elderly. Fasting serves as purification and as self-restraint. Sawm is an edict of Allah in the Qur'an.

5. 

   Make pilgrimage to Makka, Hajj. All Muslims who are able, in the twelfth month of the lunar year, must make hajj to the holy city of Mecca once in their lifetime. Pilgrimage involves special clothing, visits in prescribed manners to the Ka'bah, the hills of Safa and Marwa, the plains of 'Arafat, Mina and the festival, the 'Id al Adha.

Tips & Warnings

• The only acceptable way to read the Qur'an is in the original Arabic

Resources

• Islam 101
• Audio How to Perform Salat Requires Real Player
• Learn about Zakat
• Ramadan
• Hajj Information