The Five Pillars of Islam

Summarized Meaning of Islam

Any study or investigation of Islam will not be complete without first analyzing what Islam is. In the literal sense, the word Islam means servitude, obedience, submission or compliance, be it in the physical or intrinsic, whether in religious aspects or not. In context, Islam similarly means servitude, obedience, submission or compliance but towards the teachings of Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h, and other teachings of the religion that is mandatory to know such as praying, fasting, performing the Hajj and contributing the charitable Zakah tithe.

The Five Pillars of Islam

It is narrated on the authority of (‘Abdullah) son of ‘Umar, that the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: (The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), i.e. Allah (alone) should be worshipped, and (all other gods) beside Him should be (categorically) denied. Establishment of prayers, the payment of Zakah, Pilgrimage to the House, and the fast of Ramadan (are the other obligatory acts besides the belief in the oneness of Allah and denial of all other gods).

-Hadith Sahih Muslim

Islam is the religion brought down by Allah through the channel of a Messenger (Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h). The Five Pillars of Islam is the term given to the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. These duties areShahadah (profession of faith), Salah (ritual prayer), Zakah (alms tax),Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). The concept of five pillars is taken from the Hadith collections, notably those of Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. The Qur’an does not speak of five pillars, although one can find in it scattered references to their associated practices.
The first prerequisite towards proof of Islam would be the declaration of the Shahadah. Fundamentally, as a start, Islam begins with an expression in a creedal form in the Shahadah:

‘Ash hadu Alaa ilaaha illallaah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.’
‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger.’

If a person says this with conviction, under no compulsion with no ambiguity or confusion, this would be enough for him/her to have entered into the fold of Islam.