Islam: An Introduction to the Five Pillars

The five pillars of Islam are the common denominators in the religion. All Muslims are required and obligated to perform the pillars. Those five pillars are: Shahada,Salat,Zakat,Sawm and Hajj. (Ruthven, 143) The Shahada is the recitation of the word of witness. The Shahada includes two key themes in Islam. Muslims declare that "there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God."

The second pillar of Islam is Salat. Salat is translated as 'prayer' Muslims are obligated to pray five times a day. The times of prayer are at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and
evening. Muslims may pray for different reasons at many times. (Martin, 14). When Muslims are performing Salat/prayer they face Mekka where the Ka'ba is located. (Ruthven, 143) On Friday a congregational prayer is held at a local Mosque at noon. For all prayers Muslims must take part in ritual purity (Martin, 14). Before the prayer there is a call to prayer from the Imam or religious leader. The call to prayer states:

God is greatest, God is the greatest God is the greatest, I will witness that There is no God but Allah I witness that Muhammad is his Apostle; I witness that Muhammad is his Apostle. Come to prayer! Come to prayer! Come to the betterment! Come to the betterment! God is the greatest. God is the greatest. There is no God but Allah. (Martin, 145)

Zakat is the pillar the means giving the legal alms. Basically it means charity. Muslims are obligated to give 2.5 % of their assets to charity each year. (Ruthven, 145) Sawm is ewhen Muslims observe the month of fasting (Ramadan). Ramadan is performed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. (Ruthven, 145) During Ramadan Muslims fast during the daylight hours. Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual activity. (Ruthven, 145) fasting starts at dawn and ends at sunset.