The religion of Islām is established on five fundamental pillars, which serve as the foundation for a Muslim’s faith and practices. Just as a building cannot stand without its supporting pillars, Islām cannot be fully practised nor will it be valid without adhering to these five essential pillars of worship and faith, and the absence of some of these pillars constitute disbelief in al-Islām (i.e., the Testimony of Faith and the Prayer).
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Islam is built upon five [pillars]: Testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh; establishing the prayer; paying the Zakat; performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (Ka’ba); and fasting in Ramadan.” Sahīh Al-Bukhārī (8) and Sahīh Muslim (16)
First Pillar: Shahāda (Testimony of Faith)
The Shahāda is the first and most fundamental pillar of Islām. It consists of two elements:
1. Testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh: This is the meaning of “Lā ilāha illAllāh,” which means there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh. It involves dedicating all acts of worship and devotion solely to your Lord, without associating any partners with Him. This means not calling upon or worshipping anyone or anything besides Allāh, whether it be a tree, stone, idol, prophet, or saint. For example, it is not permissible to say, “O My Master Al-Badawi, heal me,” or “O Messenger of Allāh, grant me health or victory,” or to invoke the name of any other individual, whether they are a saint, a prophet, or anyone else, living or dead, or even objects like trees, stones, the universe or spirits (Jinn). Doing so constitutes major shirk (polytheism) and expels the person from the fold of Islām..
2. Testifying that Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) is the Messenger of Allāh: This means acknowledging that Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) is the final prophet sent by Allāh. Following this testimony entails four key responsibilities:
– Believing in everything the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) teaches us: This includes the teachings found in the Qur’an and the Hadith (recorded sayings, actions and affirmations of the Prophet).
– Obeying his commands to the best of our ability: Muslims are required to follow the instructions given by the Prophet, as they are divinely guided.
– Avoiding what the Prophet forbade: Muslims must stay away from actions and behaviours that the Prophet warned against.
– Worshipping Allāh according to the Prophet’s guidance: Muslims are not permitted to innovate or invent new forms of worship but must adhere to the practices taught by the Prophet.
The Shahāda (Testimony of Faith) is expressed in numerous Quranic āyāh and Hadiths. For example, Allāh says in the Qur’ān:
“Allāh witnesses that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge.” Surah Al-Imrān (3:18)
While the Prophet’s role as the final messenger is emphasised in Surah Al-Ahzāb, Allāh says:
“Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and the seal of the prophets.” Surah Al-Ahzāb (33:43)
It is imperative to know that simply reciting the testimony of faith without meeting its conditions is not acceptable. There are a number of conditions that must be met for “Lā ilāha illAllāh” to be valid and accepted.
Here are the key conditions for the testimony of faith to be valid:
Knowledge (علم): Understanding its meaning and implications. One must have knowledge that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh.
Certainty (يقين): Absolute conviction without any doubt about the truth of this statement.
Sincerity (إخلاص): The declaration must be made purely for the sake of Allāh, without any ulterior motives or hypocrisy.
Truthfulness (صدق): Saying “Lā ilāha illAllāh” with honesty, matching what is in one’s heart and what is expressed by the tongue.
Love (محبة): Loving this statement and its implications, along with loving Allāh and His Messenger more than anything else.
Submission ( انقياد): Full submission and compliance with the meaning of “Lā ilāha illAllāh,” acting upon what it necessitates.
Acceptance (قبول): Accepting the implications of this declaration, meaning one must accept and follow all that it requires, including adherence to Allāh’s commands.
Some scholars also add the condition of Denial of False Gods (الكفر بالطاغوت): Rejecting all false gods and anything that is worshipped besides Allāh.
Meeting these conditions ensures that the declaration of “Lā ilāha illAllāh” is not merely a verbal statement but a profound expression of faith that governs one’s life.
Second Pillar: Salah (Prayer)
Salah is the second pillar of Islām and refers to the five daily prayers that are obligatory for every Muslim. These prayers are performed at specific times throughout the day:
1. Fajr (dawn)
2. Dhuhr (midday)
3. Asr (afternoon)
4. Maghrib (sunset)
5. Isha (night)
Each prayer consists of a series of physical movements, recitations and supplications, including standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting, all of which are performed with sincerity and humility.
Observing these prayers is mandatory and must be done at its appointed times.
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers by a decree of specified times.” Surah An-Nisā (4:103)
Several Hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) clearly state that leaving off the prayer constitutes disbelief (kufr). In Sahih Muslim (82), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and salutations be upon him) said:
“Between a man and shirk (associating partners with Allāh) and kufr (disbelief) is abandoning the prayer”
While in the Jami` at-Tirmidhi (2621):The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The covenant that distinguishes between us and them (non-believers) is the prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief.”
The prayer connects the believer with Allāh and is a means of tranquillity, and strength to avoid sinful behaviour.
“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater. And Allāh knows that which you do.” Surah Al-’Ankabut (29:45)
The obligation of Salah is mentioned in several Quranic āyāh, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah:
“And establish prayer and give zakat and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].” Surah Al-Baqarah (2:43)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) also emphasised the importance of prayer in many Hadiths. In Sunan An-Nasa’i (467), he said:
“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound; and if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.”
Third Pillar: Zakat (Almsgiving):
Zakat is the third pillar of Islām and refers to the obligatory charity that Muslims must give to those in need. It is usually calculated as 2.5% of a person’s savings and wealth above a certain minimum threshold (known as Nisāb). The Zakat is not simply an act of kindness; it is a duty for those who are financially able to support the less fortunate and is intended to purify their wealth.
“Take, [O Muḥammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allāh’s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.” Surah At-Tawbah (9:103)
Those who choose not to pay Zakah are responsible before Allāh, and it may affect their well-being in the Hereafter. It has been reported in Sahīh Al-Bukhārī (4565) that the Prophet said:
“Anyone whom Allāh has given wealth but he does not pay its Zakat, then, on the Day of Resurrection, his wealth will be presented to him in the shape of a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two poisonous glands in its mouth and it will encircle itself round his neck and bite him over his cheeks and say, “I am your wealth; I am your treasure.” Then the Prophet (ﷺ) recited this Divine Āyah: “And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allāh has bestowed on them of His Bounty (Wealth) think that it is good for them (and so they do not pay the obligatory Zakat). Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection.” Surah Al-Imrān (3:180)
The funds collected through Zakat are distributed to specific categories of people mentioned in the Qur’ān.
“Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islām] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allāh and for the [stranded] traveller – an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.”Surah At-Tawbah (9:60)
Fourth Pillar: Sawm (Fasting)
Allāh has made fasting in the month of Ramadan obligatory for Muslims, just as it was prescribed for the nations before us, so that we may develop piety. Fasting during Ramadan teaches self-discipline as it encourages individuals to resist their worldly desires in obedience to Allāh, thereby strengthening their faith and connection to Him. It also reminds those fasting of the needy and less fortunate and in turn for them to be thankful for the blessing of food and drink. Regulating the consumption of food enables a person to control their lusts and desires.
During daylight hours, it is an obligation to refrain from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn until sunset.
“And eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall.” Surah Al-Baqarah (2:187)
As-Sa’di stated in his exegesis p.87:
“When the fast was first enjoined, it was haram (prohibited) for the Muslims to eat, drink or have intercourse at night after having slept, but that caused hardship for some of them, so Allāh made it easier for them and allowed them to eat, drink and have intercourse at any time during the nights of the fast, whether they had slept or not, because they were deceiving themselves through leaving off some of what they were commanded with.”
Certain categories of people such as the sick and travellers, have been granted concessions from fasting and can make it up after the month passes.
Allāh says:
“So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185)
The obligation of fasting during Ramadan is clearly stated in the Qur’ān, in Surah Al-Baqarah Allāh says:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183)
Fifth Pillar: Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all Muslims who are physically and financially capable of making the journey.
“And [due] to Allāh from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves [i.e., refuses] – then indeed, Allāh is free from need of the worlds.” Surah Al-Imrān (3:97)
During Hajj, Muslims perform a series of rites, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), in obedience to Allāh and as an expression of their devotion.
Jābir (Allāh be pleased with him) reported:
I saw Allāh’s Prophet (ﷺ) flinging pebbles while riding his camel on the Day of Nahr, and he was saying: Learn your rituals (by seeing me performing them), for I do not know whether I would be performing Hajj after this Hajj of mine. Sahīh Muslim (1297)
A Hajj completed in line with the Prophet’s teachings has no reward but Paradise itself.
Abu Hurairah (May Allāh be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said, “(The performance of) ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous ‘Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted) is nothing but Jannah.” Sahīh Al-Bukhārī (1773) and Sahīh Muslim (1349)
Hajj serves as a profound spiritual experience, uniting Muslims from all over the world in worship and reminding them of the equality and unity of the Ummah (Muslim community).
“Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” Surah Al-Anbiya (21:92)