The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam

The Shahadah: Declaration of Faith

The Shahadah is the assertion of faith all Muslims state. It declares belief in the oneness of Allah and the acceptance of Muhammad as Allah’s prophet.
It is said when a person converts to Islam, it is whispered into the ear of a newborn, and ideally will be a Muslim’s last words before dying.
The Shahadah is not just a declaration, it’s a commitment to live in accordance with its principles.

Salah are the five compulsory daily prayers performed by Muslims, to show respect and obedience to Allah.
The prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall, and they each involve specific movements and recitations.
These prayers are a direct link between the believer and Allah and also consist of Surahs from the Holy Qur’an.

Zakat is a mandatory form of almsgiving in Islam, typically amounting to 2.5% of a Muslim’s excess wealth.
It is considered a form of worship and purification.
Sunni Islam considers zakat one of the Five Pillars, and a fundamental component of a Muslim’s charitable duty.

Sawm is the fast that takes place during the month of Ramadan. All physically capable adult Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset.
Fasting during Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflexion, increased devotion, and worship.
At the end of Ramadan, the Eid al-Fitr festival is celebrated to mark the end of fasting.

Hajj is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, that all Muslims must make at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able.
Included in the Hajj pilgrimage are key rites such as the circumambulation of the Kaaba, the symbolic stoning of the devil, and standing in vigil on the plain of Arafat.
Completing the Hajj is seen as a way to cleanse oneself of past sins and start fresh in their devotion to Allah.