The Five Pillars of

Islam
We are looking at:
The Five Pillars of Islam
 Lesson Objectives

Know: the 5 pillars of Islam

Understand: what these pillars mean to Muslims
Evaluate: think about pillars for ourselves
 The 5 Pillars
Key Q: What are the 5 pillars?
 What do we mean by pillars?
• A pillar is something which supports a
building, and stops it falling down.
• What do you think the Pillars of Islam are?
• The 5 Pillars of Islam are 5 things which a
Muslim would do to show they were
committed to the religion of Islam
Faith - Shahadah
Faith
It is the first thing
The Shahadah is the that is said into a
first pillar of Islam. It baby’s ear.
is a declaration of faith
spoken by all Muslims.
The Shahadah must be
spoken publicly before
a person can be
considered a Muslim.

The Qur’an states that

the Shahadah must be There is no God worthy
“spoken by the tongue
and with the full assent of
of the heart”. This worship except Allah,
means that is not
simply enough to speak and
these words; you must
also believe them. Muhammad is His
Messenger [or Prophet].
 Shahadah means:
• I bear witness that there is no
God but Allah and I bear
witness that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah
 Prayer – Salat/Salah
•Salat is the second pillar of Islam.
‘Salat’ means ‘prayer’. It is every
Muslim’s duty to pray to Allah five
times a day.

• The mandatory prayers

performed 5 times a day:
* dawn
* noon
* late afternoon
* sunset
* before going to bed
• Wash before praying.
• Face Mecca and use a prayer rug
 Charity – Zakat
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It is the
amount of money that every Muslim
who is financially able must pay to
support people who are poor and
needy. Zakat should be given once a
year; however, a Muslim can choose
when in this year they wish to pay it.

Zakat can be paid to a mosque or to

Zakat organisations such as Islamic
Relief or Muslim Hands.

Traders must give 2.5% of the value of

their goods to Zakat.
 Fasting - Sawm
Sawm is the fourth pillar of Islam.
It means fasting. When fasting,
Muslims do not eat, drink.

Muslims practise Sawm by fasting

every year in the month of
Ramadan. During Ramadan,
Muslims fast from dawn until
sunset.

By practising Sawm, a Muslim

develops sympathy for suffering.
It also demonstrates discipline
and obedience to Allah.‫كما أنه يدلعلى‬
‫ االنضباط والطاعة هلل‬.
Muslims do not have to fast if
they are under 12, too old,
pregnant, breastfeeding, travelling
or sick.
 Pilgrimage
The Hajj is the fifth and
final pillar of Islam. It is the
journey to Makkah that
every adult Muslim should
undertake at least once in
their life. The Hajj promotes
the bonds of Islamic
brotherhood and sisterhood
by showing that everyone
is equal in the eyes of
Allah.
 5. The Hajj
 Those who complete the
pilgrimage can add the title
hajji to their name.
 Questions for thinking
• How many pillars do Muslims try to act upon?
• What is the Muslim word for God?
• Who do Muslims believe was the last messenger of
God?
• How many times each day should Muslims pray?
• What language do Muslims use during prayer?
• What do Muslims do before they pray?
• In which direction do Muslims face when they pray?
• During which month do Muslims fast?
• Where do Muslims go on pilgrimage?