Pillars of Islam
the five duties incumbent on every Muslim:
- zakāt (زكاة): the alms tax levied to benefit the poor and the needy
The five pillars are particularly prominent as an organizing principle in the theology of Sunni Muslims. Although Shiʿi Muslims also consider these practices essential for Muslims, the Shiʿah more often use a different organization for teaching the essential tenets of Islam, such as the Jaʿfari school’s five uṣūl al-dīn (beliefs of the faith) and 10 furūʾ al-dīn (practices of the faith).
Shahādah (profession of faith)
The shahādah is the first of the pillars. It is the profession of faith in Islam: “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Prophet of God.” The shahādah is usually‚ but not always, recited in Arabic: Lā ilāha illā Allāh wa-Muḥammadun rasūlu Allāh (لا إله إلا الله ومحمد رسول الله). Its recitation is the only requirement for conversion to Islam, and it must be recited by every Muslim at least once in a lifetime, aloud, correctly, and purposively, with a full understanding of its meaning and with an assent of the heart. The profession is not used only for the purpose of entering the faith. It is articulated frequently by every practicing Muslim, including in each of the five daily ritual prayers.
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Ṣalāt (daily ritual prayer)
Devout Muslims are expected to participate in five ritual prayers each day. The prayers are preceded by an ablution in which the participant washes their hands, feet, and face; the use of sand is permitted when water is unavailable. The prayers take place at prescribed intervals throughout the day, determined by the position of the Sun in the sky: ṣalāt al-fajr (dawn), al-ẓuhr (midday), al-ʿaṣr (afternoon), al-maghrib (sunset), and al-ʿishāʾ (evening). They can be postponed or modified because of special circumstances, such as illness, travel, or war.
Zakāt (almsgiving)
Muslims must annually donate a portion of their wealth. The amount depends on the type of wealth—such as produce and livestock; gold and silver; movable goods; or investments—and includes one-fortieth of cash and savings beyond a minimal threshold (niṣāb) whose value fluctuates according to the value of gold and silver. Muslims whose wealth is below the minimum threshold in a given year are exempt. Recipients of the zakāt are defined in the ninth surah, Al-Ṭawbah (“Repentance”), and include those who are poor and needy, the administrators of the zakāt, converts and those seeking reconciliation with an Islamic lifestyle, those in bondage or debt, and travelers in need. Zakāt is separate from ṣadaqah, a voluntary donation, and often described as a tax.
Ṣawm (fasting)
Observance of the annual Ramadan fast is also expected for Muslims. They abstain from food and drink from sunrise (al-fajr) to sunset (al-maghrib) and eat and drink during the nighttime hours. The timing of the fast commemorates the revelation of the Qurʾān to Muhammad, which Muslims believe began in late Ramadan on the night known as Laylat al-Qadr, the “Night of Power.” Fasting during Ramadan offers a time to practice self-restraint and focus on God and serves as expiation for one’s sins. Nevertheless, there are exceptions and substitutions for the requirement of fasting for Muslims who are unable to fast, such as those who are old or ill, pregnant or nursing women, and travelers on long journeys.
Ḥajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
Every adult Muslim must perform the ḥajj pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime, barring physical or financial hardship. Mecca is the site of the Kaaba, a shrine that marks the most sacred spot on Earth according to Muslims and houses the Black Stone, which offers a tangible connection to paradise as the stone given to Adam after his expulsion. The rite takes place only from the 7th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah (the last month of the Islamic calendar) to the 12th day, allowing only a limited time frame in which to perform it. Participation in the pilgrimage serves as a unifying and humbling force for the global Muslim community (ummah) by bringing together followers of diverse backgrounds and social classes in common dress and ritual.
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