The Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts

The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam

Islam is built on five core practices known as the Five Pillars. These are not optional extras — they are fard (compulsory) for every adult Muslim of sound mind. Together they shape a Muslim’s daily life, social relationships and relationship with Allah. The Prophet Muhammad described Islam as being “built upon five things” (Hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari). Surah 3:17–21 praises those who are patient, truthful, devout, and charitable — qualities embodied by the Five Pillars.

Shahadah — Declaration of Faith

The Shahadah is the declaration: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” It is the most fundamental act of Islamic faith. Reciting it sincerely and with understanding is the act that makes a person Muslim. It is whispered in a newborn’s ear, said at regular intervals in prayer and at the hour of death. Surah 3:17–21 describes those who consistently bear witness (“shahada”) to Allah’s oneness as among the most praiseworthy of believers.

Salah — Prayer

Salah is compulsory prayer five times a day: Fajr (before sunrise), Zuhr (after midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (after sunset) and Isha (night). Before praying, Muslims perform wudu (ritual washing). On Fridays, Sunni Muslim men are expected to pray Jummah (the Friday congregational prayer) at the mosque. Surah 29:45 states: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Scripture; keep up the prayer — prayer restrains outrageous and unacceptable behaviour.” Surah 15:98–99 connects glorification of Allah in prayer with certainty of faith. Shi’a Muslims perform the same five prayers but may combine them into three prayer times during the day.

Sawm — Fasting

Sawm involves complete fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims abstain from all food, drink, smoking and sexual relations from dawn to sunset. Surah 2:183–185 commands: “You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.” Within Ramadan, the Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Muhammad and is described in the Qur’an as better than a thousand months of worship. Those who cannot fast (due to illness, pregnancy or travel) may break their fast and compensate later. Ramadan ends with the festival of Id-ul-Fitr.

Zakah — Almsgiving

Zakah means “purification” or “growth.” It requires every Muslim whose savings exceed the nisab (minimum threshold) to give 2.5% of their annual savings to those in need. Surah 9:58–60 specifies eight categories of those entitled to receive Zakah, including the poor, the indebted and travellers in need. Zakah purifies the giver’s remaining wealth from greed, supports the poor and reduces inequality within the ummah (global Muslim community).

Hajj — Pilgrimage

Hajj takes place in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar and must be performed at least once in a lifetime by every Muslim who is physically and financially able. Surah 2:124–130 describes Ibrahim and Isma’il building the Ka’aba and establishing the rites of pilgrimage. Surah 22:25–30 describes the sacred sites and the command to proclaim Hajj to all people. Hajj rites include walking around the Ka’aba seven times (tawaf), walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa, standing on the plain of Arafat (wuquf), and symbolically stoning the devil. Hajj creates a profound sense of equality and unity — male pilgrims all wear the same two plain white garments (ihram) and women wear simple modest dress, erasing distinctions of wealth and rank.

The Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam

Shi’a Muslims have their own framework of obligatory acts. While the Five Pillars are broadly shared, Shi’a Islam lists Ten Obligatory Acts (Furu ad-Din — branches of religion). These include Salah, Sawm, Zakah and Hajj (shared with Sunni Islam), but add several distinctively Shi’a duties: Khums (a 20% tax on surplus income), Jihad (striving in the way of Allah), Amr-bil-Maroof (commanding what is right), and Nahy-anil-Munkar (forbidding what is wrong). Khums is particularly significant: Surah 8:41 specifies that a fifth of certain gains should be set aside “for Allah and the Messenger,” which Shi’a Muslims understand as a continuing obligation paid to the Imam’s representatives (the religious scholars).