The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that are mandatory for all Muslims:
Shahadah: Profession of faith. This involves reciting the Islamic creed, "There is no god
but God,
and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
Daily prayers. Muslims are required to pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in
Mecca.
Zakat: Charitable giving. Muslims are required to give a portion of their income to the
poor and
needy.
Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during this
time.
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least
once in
their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.
was narrated on the authority of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), there appeared before
us a
man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were
visible on
him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet (peace be upon him), rested his knee
against
his thighs, and said, "O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam."
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no
deity
except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah, pay the Zakah, fast
during
Ramadan, and perform Hajj to the House, if you are able to do so."
The man said, "You have spoken truly." We were astonished at his questioning him (the Messenger) and
telling
him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about iman."
He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books
and His
Messengers and in the Last Day, and in qadar (fate), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He
said,
"You have spoken truly."
Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that
you
should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet (know that) He
sees you."
He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that, the one
questioned knows
no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof." He said, "They
are that
the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted, naked, destitute,
the
herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man
went of. I
waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O Umar, do you know who that questioner
was?" I
replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril (the Angel Gabriel). He
came to
teach you your religion."