☝️ Foundations of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars are Shahada (faith), Salah (five daily prayers), Zakat (charity), Sawm (Ramadan fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). This page is a hub into the guides for each — not a textbook of every ruling.
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The Five Pillars are the five acts of worship that form the foundation of every Muslim's religious life. They were described by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the framework upon which Islam is built.
"Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, giving Zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan."
— Sahih al-Bukhari 8, Sahih Muslim 16
الشَّهَادَةُ
What is the Shahada?
The Shahada is the declaration that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger. Saying it sincerely makes a person Muslim. It is recited in the adhan, whispered to a newborn, and is the first of the Five Pillars. A mosque certificate helps later for visas; it is not required on day one.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
Ashhadu an lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa-ashhadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlu-llāh
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
- • Recited in the Adhan (call to prayer) and Iqamah five times daily
- • Whispered into a newborn's ear at birth
- • Recited by a person converting to Islam to formally enter the faith
- • Muslims strive to have the Shahada be their final words
الصَّلَاةُ
What is Salah, and where do you learn the steps?
Salah is the five daily prayers: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Each needs wudu and facing the Qibla. This page is the hub — the rak'ah sequence is on How to pray Salah, and today’s UK clock times are on your city page.
- • Fajr — before sunrise (2 fard rak'ahs)
- • Dhuhr — after midday (4 fard rak'ahs)
- • Asr — mid-afternoon (4 fard rak'ahs)
- • Maghrib — after sunset (3 fard rak'ahs)
- • Isha — at night (4 fard rak'ahs)
الزَّكَاةُ
What is Zakat, and how do you calculate it in the UK?
Zakat is 2.5% of qualifying wealth held above the nisab for a lunar year. It is obligatory charity, not a tip. Use the Zakat calculator for a UK working, then give through a registered charity or the eight Quranic categories. Sadaqah is extra and always open.
- • Applies to Muslims who hold wealth above the nisab for a full lunar year
- • Standard rate: 2.5% of savings, gold, silver, and trade goods
- • 8 categories of recipients defined in Quran 9:60
- • Distinct from Sadaqah (voluntary charity), which is always encouraged
الصَّوْمُ
What is Sawm in Ramadan?
Sawm is fasting Ramadan from dawn to sunset — no food, drink or intimacy. Healthy adult residents fast; the ill, travelling, pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating are exempt and make up days or pay fidya. UK suhoor and iftar times are on the Ramadan timetable.
- • Obligatory for all adult Muslims who are healthy and not travelling
- • Exemptions: illness, travel, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation, old age
- • Those who miss days must make them up (qadha) or pay fidya if unable
- • Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan
الْحَجُّ
What is Hajj, and who should skip this year?
Hajj is the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage in Dhul-Hijjah for those physically and financially able. It is not a holiday package. If you would need to borrow, leave dependants unprovided, or cannot walk 10–20 km a day in heat, skip this year. Day-by-day rites are on the Hajj guide.
- • Performed in Dhul Hijjah (the 12th Islamic month), 8–13th
- • Includes tawaf, sa'i, standing at Arafah, Muzdalifah, stoning and sacrifice
- • Eid al-Adha falls on 10 Dhul Hijjah — observed globally, not only by pilgrims
- • Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage and can be performed at other times of year