The five pillars of Islam are the fundamental acts of worship and practice that form the basis of a Muslim's life
These pillars are essential and obligatory for all followers of Islam and reflect the fundamental aspects of faith and relationship with God
The five pillars of Islam are described below. 1. Shahada, Faith The first pillar of Islam is the Shahada, which is the declaration of faith
Muslims attach to the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad as a praise
There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. This statement expresses the belief in the oneness of God and the acceptance of Muhammad as his messenger
The Shahada is the basis of the Islam of faith and establishes the belief in one God and the prophethood of Muhammad as the last divine messenger
2. Salat, Prayer The second pillar of Islam, which refers to the five daily prayers that a Muslim must perform
These prayers are a way of maintaining a constant connection with God throughout the day and night
They are performed at specific times, at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening
Prayers are an opportunity for reflection, gratitude and supplication to God. Muslims head towards the Kaaba in method during prayer as a symbol of unity and submission to God
3. Ijtihad, Almsgiving The third pillar of Islam, which refers to the obligation to give a portion of the cinder-weighted wealth to the needy
Muslims are obligated to give a percentage of their annual income to the less fortunate as a way of helping the needy and balancing wealth in society
This practice promotes charity and social justice in the Muslim community. 4. Fasting, The fourth pillar of Islam, which refers to fasting during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar
During this month, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and sexual relations in sunrise and sunset
Fasting in Ramadan is an opportunity for spiritual purification, self-control and empathy for the less fortunate
It is also a reminder of the importance of patience and gratitude
5. Hajj, Pilgrimage The fifth pillar is the Hajj, which is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that every Muslim must perform at least once in his or her lifetime if he or she has the physical and financial means to do so
The Hajj takes place during the last month of the Islamic calendar and is a significant spiritual experience
During this pilgrimage, Muslims perform a series of rituals, including circumambulating the Kaaba, as a symbol of the unity of the Ummah, the Muslim community
The five pillars of Islam are the foundation of Muslim faith and practice
These pillars unify Muslims around the world and provide guidance for leading a life of faith, worship and service to God in the community
Each of these pillars has a specific purpose in a Muslim's life, from affirming faith to charity and self-control, reflecting the core values of Islam
The Hajj is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that every Muslim must perform at least once in his or her lifetime if he or she has the physical and financial means to do so