500 children in Gaza, Sudan & 13 more countries are waiting for a guardian — earn 12 months of sadaqah jariyah today.
Sponsor a child500 children are waiting for a guardian — earn 12 months of Sadaqah Jariyah today.
Sponsor a child
500 children in Gaza, Sudan & 13 more countries are waiting for a guardian — earn 12 months of sadaqah jariyah today.
Sponsor a child500 children are waiting for a guardian — earn 12 months of Sadaqah Jariyah today.
Sponsor a child
1st July 2026
The 5 pillars of Islam are the core acts through which every Muslim lives out their faith: Shahada (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage).
If you're new to Islam, teaching your children, or simply want a clear answer to what are the 5 pillars of Islam, it can be hard to know what each pillar means, why it matters, and how they fit together.
This guide walks through the 5 pillars of Islam in order, one at a time, so you can understand — and start practising — them with confidence.
Shahada is the declaration of faith: that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. It is recited by those who become Muslim and it is whispered into the ears of newborn babies as a rite that confirms they are Muslim.
Arabic shahada: أشهَدُ أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله
Transliteration: Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulu-Allah.
English translation of shahada: “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The five daily prayers. They’re a consistent connection to Allah throughout the day and an opportunity to worship, reflect, and pray for the help we need.
The five obligatory daily prayers are:
Fajr – dawn prayer, before sunrise
Dhuhr – midday prayer, after the sun has peaked
Asr – afternoon prayer
Maghrib – sunset prayer, just after the sun sets
Isha – night prayer
These prayers structure our day around remembrance of Allah. The time of prayer shifts daily based on the length of the day, so the timing is different in every location.
Use our Prayer Timetable to find accurate prayer times for your location, so you never miss a Salah. If you wish to improve your relationship with Salah, consider reviewing our article on just that topic.
The obligatory annual donation of 2.5% of our wealth, obeying the commandment of Allah, purifying our wealth and redistributing wealth to those who need it most.
Many people like to give Zakat during the last 10 days of Ramadan or on the Day of Arafah – both periods offer unique and multiplied rewards.
Calculate your Zakat and donate 100% of it — every penny reaches those who need it most, with no deductions.
Fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan - this is an opportunity for reflection, self-discipline, gratitude, and a chance to wipe away sins.
Muslims abstain from food, drink, intimate relations, bad behaviours and words, smoking from sunrise to sunset for an entire lunar month. We deepen our connection to Allah and work to seek His forgiveness.
The pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslims should try to complete at least once in their lifetime. It is a life-changing act that brings a renewed devotion, while wiping away our sins.
Not able to make the journey this year? You can still take part by giving Qurbani or supporting pilgrims through our Hajj appeal.
Together, the five pillars of Islam provide a rhythm to help Muslims implement their beliefs into their daily lives and their lifetimes. We complete the five pillars first and foremost as an act of submission to Allah, who has commanded them of us. But these pillars also help to purify Muslims and the world around us.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity).
4. To perform Hajj (i.e. pilgrimage to Mecca).
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
(Hadith Al-Bukhari)
Spiritual
Discover the true meaning of the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith. Learn its Arabic wording, pronunciation and why it matters for every Muslim.
Spiritual
A comprehensive guide to Zakat, covering its pillars, calculation methods, eligible recipients, and the profound impact of giving Zakat in Islam.
Spiritual
Hajj is a very important pilgrimage, taking place over several days. It can be hard to plan and prepare for all of it, so here's a guide to help you manage everything as best you can.
In simple terms, the 5 pillars of Islam are five acts every Muslim commits to: declaring faith (Shahada), praying five times a day (Salah), giving charity (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime (Hajj). Together they turn belief into daily practice, moving from the simplest act — a spoken declaration of faith — towards the greater commitments of fasting and pilgrimage.
The easiest way to teach children the 5 pillars of Islam is through play, repetition and everyday example rather than lecture. Children retain information easier than adults, and the best way to teach them is through play. Roleplay each pillar, making each one into a game. Let them imagine the Shahada as a password, involve them whenever you fulfil these 5 pillars, explaining along the way that it is a pillar. You can also buy books, print colouring sheets or watch educational videos about the pillars.
The order of the pillars takes a person from the simplest foundation of daily life, before requiring bigger sacrifices such as fasting for a month or travelling for Hajj. It gives grace and time to a person who is developing their faith to start with learning the core element of prayer before demanding an entire month of fasting or the physical and mental commitment of the pilgrimage.
The five pillars are considered the foundation of a Muslim's daily life and faith because they translate belief into consistent, lived action — structuring worship, generosity, self-discipline and community around submission to Allah. Together, they provide a rhythm to help Muslims implement their beliefs into their daily lives and their lifetimes, purifying Muslims and the world around us.
Start small and be consistent — sincerity grows through steady practice, not perfection from day one. You’ve already made the first step if you’re asking this question! Everyone is at a different stage. For someone who is new to Islam, trying to fulfil all five pillars at once might be too hard, but it’s important to have grace and patience, with yourself and others. You can take things step by step — for example, beginning by learning the surahs used in prayer and working towards completing one prayer a day before gradually building up to the remaining prayers. Allah is the Most Understanding and knows the effort behind every step we take towards Him.
If you’ve been neglecting your faith and are now seeking Allah’s help to return to Him, you have already taken one of the most difficult steps: turning your heart back towards Him. Be grateful to the Most Merciful for this blessing and ask Him to give you the strength and consistency to continue in obedience.
Create a realistic plan for how you can gradually reintegrate the pillars of Islam into your daily life. Break it down into tangible, achievable steps. Be honest about where you are, but also challenge yourself. If you’ve been missing prayers, consider what has been preventing you from praying and make a plan to address the reasons in a way that you can sustain.
Is there a practical obstacle you can remedy? For Zakat, choose a meaningful time of year — perhaps Ramadan or the Day of Arafah — to make your payment, and put a reminder in your calendar. Incorporate adhkar into your routine to help keep the remembrance of Allah close to your heart throughout the day. Remember, you do not have to transform everything overnight. Take it one step at a time, ask Allah for His help, and keep moving forward. If you want to succeed, then Allah will help you.
A simple way to remember the 5 pillars is to picture them as five pillars holding up a roof.
