(The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), i. e. Allah (alone) should be worshipped, and (all other gods) beside Him should be (categorically) denied. Establishment of prayer, the payment of Zakat, Pilgrimage to the House, and the fast of Ramadan (are the other obligatory acts besides the belief in the oneness of Allah and denial of all other gods).
The Five Pillars of Islam
This foundational hadith from Sahih Muslim 16 b outlines the essential pillars upon which the entire structure of Islam is built, serving as the fundamental framework for a Muslim's spiritual and practical life.
First Pillar: The Testimony of Faith
The declaration "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah) constitutes the bedrock of Islamic monotheism. This testimony requires absolute affirmation of Allah's oneness in His Lordship, worship, and attributes, while simultaneously rejecting all false deities and intermediaries.
Scholars emphasize that mere verbal affirmation is insufficient; this testimony must be accompanied by sincere belief in the heart and manifested through righteous actions that align with divine commandments.
Second Pillar: Establishment of Prayer
The five daily prayers (Salah) represent the practical manifestation of worship and servitude to Allah. They serve as a continuous reminder of the Creator-creature relationship and provide spiritual purification throughout the day.
Classical commentators note that prayer preserves faith, prevents immorality, and maintains constant connection with the Divine, making it the pillar of religion after the testimony of faith.
Third Pillar: Payment of Zakat
Zakat represents the economic dimension of worship, purifying wealth and nurturing social solidarity. It demonstrates that all provisions ultimately belong to Allah and must be distributed according to His guidance.
Scholars explain that Zakat purifies the giver from greed and the receiver from envy, thereby strengthening communal bonds and ensuring economic justice within the Muslim society.
Fourth Pillar: Pilgrimage to the House
The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca symbolizes the unity of the Muslim ummah and commemorates the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). It represents the ultimate physical and spiritual journey toward Allah.
Traditional commentaries highlight how Hajj embodies complete submission, equality before Allah, and the renewal of covenant, with pilgrims returning spiritually reborn as if newborn, free from previous sins.
Fifth Pillar: Fasting Ramadan
The obligatory fast during Ramadan cultivates God-consciousness (taqwa) through abstention from physical desires. It trains the soul in self-restraint and empathy for the less fortunate.
Classical scholars note that fasting is a unique form of worship known only to Allah, as it involves hidden acts of devotion that demonstrate sincere faith beyond external observances.
Interconnected Nature of the Pillars
These five pillars are not isolated acts but form an integrated system where faith provides the foundation, prayer maintains spiritual connection, Zakat ensures social justice, fasting cultivates self-discipline, and Hajj reinforces universal brotherhood.
The comprehensive nature of these obligations demonstrates Islam's balance between individual spirituality and communal responsibility, between internal belief and external practice.