The five pillars of Islam are duties that Muslims should apply in their daily life in order to follow Allah biddings.
These pillars are not mentioned in the Qu’ran through a list, but we find them in different verses, also a Hadith of Mohammed (peace be upon him) has presented them well. Islam is based on five principles:
1/ To attest that no one can be worshiped but Allah, and that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah. Its equivalent in Arabic is “ach hadou an la ilaha illa Allah, wa anna Mohammed rassoul Allah”. This sentence is meant to glorify Allah’s unicity.
2/ To pray five times during the day. Each of these prayers must be done at a certain, specific time during the day, with an appropriate number of units. In order to pray, one must orientate his or her body to El-Kaaba (named El Kiblah).
After the call to prayer is heard, a Muslim has to make the appropriate payers as soon as possible. While praying, in the stand-up posture, the person recites some sourates of the Qu’ran. Prosternation is the best time to ask Allah what ever he or she wants.
El Mouathin is the person who calls people to pray, he says :
« Allah is great. Allah is great.
Allah is great. Allah is great.
I testify that there is no Allah except Allah.
I testify that there is no Allah except Allah.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Come to prayer! Come to prayer!
Come to success!
Come to success!
Allah is great. Allah is great.
There is no Allah except Allah. »
3/ To give Zakat (alms), in order to purify one’s richness. Zakat is an annual payment of one’s capital or fortune, excluding his residence, cars and some personal tools.
4/ To fast during the month of Ramadhan, from the day break till the sunset. Every Muslim should not eat, drink or have sex. This is a month where a Muslim must repress his or her desires and passions in order to obtain the pardon of Allah. During Ramadan, Muslims tend to follow more the teachings of Islam.
5/ To make at least one pilgrimage to the holy “Mecca”, if the person has the financial and the physical means to do so.