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The five pillars of Islam: Class 9 Islamiat
The five pillars of Islam: the declaration of faith, prayer, zakah, fasting in Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Makkah, with their meaning and importance.
Key points
A hadith narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar, which is recorded in the collections of Bukhari and Muslim, says that Islam is built on five pillars. These are the declaration of faith, the prayer, zakah, fasting in Ramadan and the pilgrimage to the House of Allah for those who are able. Together they are called the Arkan-e-Islam.
The first pillar is the Shahadah, the declaration of faith: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger. It is the foundation of belief. A person becomes a Muslim by saying it sincerely.
The second pillar is Salah, the five daily prayers:
- Fajr, before sunrise.
- Zuhr, after midday.
- Asr, in the afternoon.
- Maghrib, after sunset.
- Isha, at night.
Salah is performed after wudu, the washing of certain parts of the body, facing the Kaaba. It keeps a Muslim in touch with Allah, teaches discipline and punctuality, and removes differences of rank when people stand in rows together. The Friday congregational prayer is held at midday on Friday.
The third pillar is Zakah, a yearly payment from the wealth of a Muslim who owns more than a minimum amount called the nisab. The usual rate on savings and money held for a year is two and a half percent. Zakah is given to the poor, the needy and the other groups named in the Holy Quran. It purifies wealth and the heart, reduces the gap between rich and poor and builds care in society.
The fourth pillar is Sawm, fasting in the month of Ramadan. Muslims who are able to do so give up food, drink and other things that break the fast from the break of dawn until sunset. Fasting teaches self-control, patience and sympathy for those who are hungry. Those who are ill, travelling, or otherwise excused can make up the days later, according to the rules.
The fifth pillar is Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah in the month of Dhul Hijjah. It is a duty once in a lifetime for every Muslim who has the health and the means to make the journey. Pilgrims wear simple white clothes, called ihram, and perform rites that include tawaf around the Kaaba, standing at Arafat and the stoning of the pillars. Hajj shows the unity and equality of all Muslims.
Study tip: Remember the pillars with the order in the hadith: faith, prayer, zakah, fasting and Hajj.
Definitions and flashcards
Say the meaning first, then open the card to check.
Arkan-e-Islam
The five pillars of Islam.
Shahadah
The declaration of faith in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Salah
The five daily prayers.
Zakah
The yearly payment from the wealth of a Muslim who owns more than the nisab.
Nisab
The minimum amount of wealth on which zakah becomes due.
Sawm
Fasting in the month of Ramadan.
Hajj
The pilgrimage to Makkah, a duty once in a lifetime for those who are able.
Ihram
The simple white clothing worn by pilgrims, and the state of the pilgrim.
Short questions with model answers
These are the kind of questions asked for 2, 3 and 5 marks. Try each one before opening the answer.
Name the five pillars of Islam. (2 marks)
The declaration of faith (Shahadah), the prayer (Salah), zakah, fasting in Ramadan (Sawm) and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj).
What is the Shahadah? (2 marks)
It is the declaration that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger. It is the first pillar and the foundation of belief.
Write the names of the five daily prayers. (2 marks)
Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha.
What is zakah? At what rate is it usually paid on savings? (3 marks)
Zakah is a yearly payment from the wealth of a Muslim who owns more than the nisab. The usual rate on savings held for a year is two and a half percent. It is given to the poor and the other groups named in the Holy Quran.
Describe the benefits of fasting. (3 marks)
Fasting teaches self-control and patience, and it makes a person feel the hunger of the poor and so encourages sympathy. It also builds discipline and increases the awareness of Allah.
Explain the importance of Hajj. (5 marks)
Hajj is a duty once in a lifetime for a Muslim who has the health and the means. Pilgrims from all over the world wear the same simple clothing and perform the same rites, which shows the unity and equality of Muslims. Hajj reminds Muslims of the sacrifices of the Prophet Ibrahim and his family, and it teaches patience, obedience and sacrifice. A Muslim who performs it with sincerity returns with a renewed commitment to the faith.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up the order of the five pillars.
- Writing the wrong rate for zakah, or forgetting that it is due only on wealth above the nisab.
- Giving the time of each prayer in the wrong order.
- Saying that Hajj is compulsory for everyone, when it is for those who are able.