The 5 pillars of Islam explained
The 5 pillars of Islam are the declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage: the five acts of worship on which the Prophet ﷺ said Islam is built. Here is what each one means, how it is practised, and where to learn more, whether you are a new Muslim, a parent or a student.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
“Islam is built on five”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Islam is built on five: bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakah, the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan” (Sahih al-Bukhari 8, Sahih Muslim 16). The same five appear when the angel Jibril asked the Prophet ﷺ “What is Islam?” in the famous hadith of Jibril (Sahih Muslim 8).
The five pillars
| Pillar | Meaning | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Shahadah | The declaration of faith | Bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah. It is how a person enters Islam, and the foundation of everything else. See How to convert to Islam. |
| 2. Salah | The five daily prayers | Fajr, Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha, each at its time, after wudu, facing the Ka‘bah, with Al-Fatihah recited in every unit. See How to pray salah. |
| 3. Zakah | Obligatory charity | Giving 2.5% of savings held for a lunar year above a minimum threshold (nisab) to those entitled to it, such as the poor and needy. |
| 4. Sawm | Fasting in Ramadan | No food, drink or marital relations from dawn to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan, for every adult Muslim who is able. See Ramadan Quran reading plan. |
| 5. Hajj | Pilgrimage to Makkah | Once in a lifetime, in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able. |
The Quran and the pillars
Salah is the pillar most closely tied to the Quran: Al-Fatihah is recited in every unit of every prayer, along with other passages. That is why learning to read the Quran correctly matters for every Muslim; see Surah Al-Fatihah and surahs to recite in salah. Ramadan, the month of fasting, is also the month the Quran was first revealed; see the first revelation of the Quran.
Learning the pillars
For new Muslims, the order is usually: the shahadah, then wudu and salah, then fasting when Ramadan comes; see how to perform wudu and our Quran classes for reverts. For children, the pillars are one of the first topics in our Islamic studies lessons. What Muslims believe, as opposed to how they worship, is covered in the six articles of faith.
Guides to each pillar in practice: salah, the zakat calculator and zakat al-Fitr, the rules of fasting and Ramadan 2027 in the UK, and the Hajj guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 5 pillars of Islam?
The shahadah (declaration of faith), salah (the five daily prayers), zakah (obligatory charity), sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah for those able). They come from the hadith “Islam is built on five” (Sahih al-Bukhari 8, Sahih Muslim 16).
What is the difference between the pillars of Islam and the articles of faith?
The pillars are the five acts of worship that outwardly define a Muslim’s practice. The six articles of faith (iman) are what a Muslim believes: in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and divine decree. Both are explained in the hadith of Jibril.
Are the five pillars mentioned in the Quran?
Each of them is commanded in the Quran, for example prayer and zakah together in Al-Baqarah 2:43, fasting in 2:183 and hajj in Al ‘Imran 3:97. The list of five comes from the hadith.
When is Ramadan in 2027?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027 in the UK, depending on the sighting of the moon. Your local mosque will confirm the date.
Learn the basics of Islam with a teacher
Three free one-to-one Islamic studies lessons in UK time, for children, reverts and adults.