Five Pillars

Islam is defined out of the following (five pillars):

  • shahada, the creed stating that "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his messenger".
  • salaat, the prayer which is to be performed five times a day. This prayer is performed after strict rules, where bending and uttering phrases from the Koran, as well as facing the direction towards the ka@abain Mecca.
  • zakaat, alms. This is a prescription which is practiced in very different ways in Islam today.
  • sawm, fast during the month ramaDaan.
  • hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca. This an obligation for all Muslims able to, or with the necessary economy.