The Five Pillars of Islam
A visual guide to the five foundational practices that every Muslim is expected to observe.
The five foundational practices of Islam
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Pillar 1
Shahada
الشهادة
Declaration of faith: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
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Pillar 2
Salat
الصلاة
Five daily prayers performed facing Mecca at prescribed times.
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Pillar 3
Zakat
الزكاة
Obligatory charitable giving, typically 2.5% of one's savings annually.
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Pillar 4
Sawm
الصوم
Fasting from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan.
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Pillar 5
Hajj
الحج
Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Five Pillars of Islam."
The data behind the chart
| Pillar | Arabic | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Shahada | الشهادة | Declaration of faith: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God." |
| 2. Salat | الصلاة | Five daily prayers performed facing Mecca at prescribed times. |
| 3. Zakat | الزكاة | Obligatory charitable giving, typically 2.5% of one's savings annually. |
| 4. Sawm | الصوم | Fasting from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan. |
| 5. Hajj | الحج | Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able. |