Five pillars

Photo: 2427999, Pixabay licence

أركان الإسلام

arkān al-Islām

Topic

The five basic acts of Islam: the declaration of faith, prayer, zakat, fasting in Ramadan and the pilgrimage.

What it means

The Prophet said: “Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, establishing prayer, giving zakat, pilgrimage to the House, and fasting Ramadan” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). Zakat is due on wealth above a minimum, and the pilgrimage only of those able.