Pillars of Islam

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Pillars of Islam

Also known as: Arkān al-Islām, Five Pillars of Islam

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Apr 2, 2024 • Article History

shahādah: Islamic profession of faith

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Category: History & Society

Arabic:: Arkān al-Islām

Related Topics:: hajj; salat; zakat; shahādah; ṣawm

On the Web:: Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats - What are the Five Pillars of Islam? (Apr. 02, 2024)

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Pillars of Islam, the five duties incumbent on every Muslim: shahādah, the Muslim profession of faith; ṣalāt, or prayer, performed in a prescribed manner five times each day; zakāt, the alms tax levied to benefit the poor and the needy; ṣawm, fasting during the month of Ramadan; and hajj, the major pilgrimage to Mecca, if financial and physical conditions permit.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Zeidan.