5 Pillars of Islam
What are they?
 The 5 Pillars of Islam are acts of worship
that all Muslims must fulfill in obedience
to Allah (God).
 They are described in the Qur’an.
 Like pillars support a building, the Pillars
of Islam support Islam’s teachings and
practices.
Pillar 1 = Shahada
(Declaration of Faith)
 The central teaching or belief of Islam.
 A Muslim says “I bear witness that there
is none worthy of worship except Allah,
the One, without any partner. And I bear
witness that Muhammad is His servant
and His messenger.”
 There is no god but Allah, and
Muhammad is his prophet.
Pillar 2= Salat (Prayer)
 Allah told Muhammad to do
this when he met Allah on
the Night Journey.
 5 times every day
 Face the Ka’bah to pray
 On Fridays Muslims go to
the Mosque to pray.
 The prayer is recited and
requires a series of 4
movements.
 Video Clip
Pillar 3= Zakat
(Almsgiving)
 Zakat means to give money every year to
the local mosque or to the poor, also
called almsgiving.
 Muslims share about 2.5% of their
wealth.
 It reminds them that all things come from
and ultimately belong to Allah.
 Video Clip
Pillar 4=Sawm (Fasting)
 During the 9th or holy month of Ramadan Muslims fast
during daylight hours (eat only at night).
 The sick, pregnant or elderly do not have to fast.
 The month ends with the celebration of
Id al-Fitr, a time of feasting and gift giving.
It is done to honor Muhammad, become more
spiritual, recognize the needs of others and obey
God.
 Video Clip
 Video Clip 2
Pillar 5=Hajj (Pilgrimage)
 Every Muslim must make
pilgrimage or journey to
Mecca at least once in
their lifetime, if possible.
 On the 11th month,
Muslims travel to Mecca
in Saudi Arabia to pray
and perform rituals at the
Ka’bah.
 Show Video
The Mosque
 The place where Muslims gather to worship
Allah and pray.
 Mosques have a courtyard with a fountain for
ritual washing.
 The Muezzin, or crier, calls people
to prayer.
 Mosques are never decorated with
pictures of people or animals.
 The Mihrab shows the direction of Mecca
where people face to pray.