What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

In this article, we shall answer the question: What are the five pillars of Islam? In the study of international relations, we as scholars spend a great deal of time discussing various political and economic factors related to international affairs, and relations within actors in countries, as well as how international actors (and states) interact. However, it is also important to look at other concepts and terms, such as aspects of religion, culture, etc… that might might be useful in furthering our understanding of international relations.

For example, when one is studying Middle East politics, it is important to know general theories of power, economics, as well as understanding the geopolitics of the region. However, if one is studying Islamist parties, for example, it would be helpful to understand at least some basic tenets of Islam, given that actors might reference them, or attempt to use them as a foundational base for their own domestic politics, and international relations.

Therefore, we will explain the 5 pillars of Islam, and then also discuss how the pillars of Islam could help us better understand how some might use them in their political affairs, or how the five pillars of Islam might also relate to the behavior of others in the world.

The 5 Pillars of Islam

Islam is a monotheistic, Abrahamic religious tradition that first began in what is today Saudi Arabia in the year 610 a.c.e. It was at this time that Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad began to receive divine words from God. Over his lifetime, Muhammad then began speaking these words, and other teachings, to his followers.

It is important to note that when people speak of Islam, they often want to try to summarize the faith, and thus, some are quite happy to assume that most of the faith can be understood by the five pillars of Islam. While the pillars of Islam are obviously very important to knowing what the religion is about, the pillars of Islam are only that, pillars. They are the foundational points of the faith, but to understand Islam, one must know that also exist many other teachings and aspects of the religion.

Shahada (Testimony of Faith)

The first outlined pillar within the five pillars of Islam is what is understood as the Shahada, or Testimony of Faith/declaration of faith. The Shahada is a statement that all Muslims are expected to say and attest to, if they are understood to be followers of Islam. The Shahada reads (in English): “There is no God but The One God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

This pillar of faith–the Shahada–goes to the monotheistic characteristics of Islam. By declaring that there is no God but God, the idea seems to emphasize the singular nature of The Divine. In addition, the second part of the Shahada calls the Muslim to state that they believe Muhammad was a messenger of God. This suggests a couple of points: One, it shows that the individual believes that Muhammad did receive these divine messages from God. In addition, and also very important aspect of the Islamic pillars of faith is the notion that Muhammad is a messenger of God, which can also be read to emphasize that while he was a messenger, he himself was not a divine figure, or anything more than Islam.

Muslims around the world often recite the Shahada multiple times a day in their daily prayers. In terms of politics, one often also sees Muslim leaders begin their speeches with the Shahada, or other related prayers. While the Shahada is not political in and of itself, leaders often do attempt to weave in their religious beliefs with their politics, either for sometimes symbolic purposes, or to use the religion (and religious statements) as foundational points for their policies, political positions, international relations, etc…

5 Daily Prayers

When looking at the five pillars of Islam, the second pillar is the daily prayers. Within Islamic tradition, there is an expectation that adherents to the faith perform five daily prayers. These daily prayers are performed throughout the day, with the first one being at dawn.

If one travels to a Muslim country, one of the five pillars of faith can be heard throughout the day: this is the call to prayer, that calls individuals for their prayers. The call to prayer was traditionally called from a Mosque minaret, and while this practice does still take place, other Mosques now have loud speakers where the imam (or prayer leader) will call the prayer from inside the Mosque, and through a sound system, the call will be heard in the village, town, or neighborhood in the city. The call to prayer is as follows:

God is Most Great, God is Most Great

I testify that there is no God but God, I testify that there is no God but God

I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God, I testify that Muhammed is the messenger of God.

Come to pray, come to pray

Come to do good work, come to do good work.

God is Most Great, God is Most Great.

There is no God but God. There is no God but God.

(it is important to note that for the five pillars of Islam, the call to prayer for the first (dawn prayer) includes a line which includes the saying: “prayer is better than sleep. Prayer is better than sleep”).

In preparation to fulfilling the prayer pillar of Islam, those planning to pray will first perform ablutions, and then begin their prayer.

The Islamic prayer has a series of bodily movements that one performs when they are conducting their prayer.

Zakat (Charity)

The third pillar of Islam is Zakat, or Charity. Zakat is an important aspect of the Islamic faith, and it centers around the idea of giving to others. Muslims are expected to contribute part of their yearly income to charity. This number does vary, but it is often suggested that about 2.5 percent should go to zakat or charity.

In order to fulfill this pillar of Islam, individuals who offer charity usually give the money to a place of worship, such as a Mosque. This money could be used to build a Mosque, or to renovate the building, for example. However, there are many other ways in which the zakat pillar of Islam could also be fulfilled.

For example, many individuals choose to donate money to an orphanage, or a school. Others spend money on food or clothing, which they then give to those in need.

Historically (and currently), the idea of charity has also been used by political leaders. Some make it a point of statement to show them giving zakat to others in need.

Interestingly, this pillar of Islam is one of the foundational points of a number of Islamist political parties. Political Islam (or Islamism) is the idea of combining Islam within the political realm. This differs from Islam, which is often a rather private matter for an individual, and something that does not need to extend into the political space. However, political Islam looks to use the religion as a foundational point to their politics, and public policies.

As mentioned, many of these Islamist groups tend to make charity a central aspect of their work. For example, many Islamist groups have extensive social service networks in the country that they are in, and have been know to provide food, aid, humanitarian relief, as well as fund and support hospitals, schools, and other social and public service works. Furthermore, these sorts of activities are often a great way to gain public trust and increase a group’s influence and image in the society. In the case of many countries in the Middle East, for example, authoritarian leaders have had challenges by Islamist parties not only on issues of direct politics, but Islamists have also shown to be as effective (and often more effective) than governments at times with regards to providing social services, earthquake relief, medicines for those who are sick, health care, etc…

Again, this Islamic pillar of charity is very important, as it is meant to not only humble the individual, but also to remember that Islam stresses the helping of others, and the devotion of one’s life to aiding and serving humanity.

Fasting During Ramadan

One of the other five pillars of Islam is expectation that Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan was the month that Muslims believe Muhammad began to receive divine messages. During the time of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast, namely, abstain from food or drink from dawn until sunset, for the entire month. During this time, the individual often devotes the day to prayer, reflection, community service, etc…

During Ramadan, governments, as well as political parties and other organizations will often offer charity services for those who are in need. Then, in the evenings, the breaking of the fast often takes the form of dinners with family members and friends. Moreover, businesses are also thinking about how Ramadan might shape/adjust consumer behavior. For example, as Siddique (2014) writes in the Fair Observer:

…The holy month sees increased advertising, hiked prices and huge buffets at hotels in the Middle East. Amid Arabic soap operas that have viewers glued to the TV set due to reduced working hours in Ramadan, mass advertising campaigns are a key feature. In 2009, Egypt spent $146 million on adverts during Ramadan — a 62% rise on previous months. With people sitting indoors, it is little wonder that television bosses rub their hands together and watch the dollars and dinars roll in.

On other occasions, a repressive government may try to stop individuals from fasting. For example, in 2015, “China has banned civil servants, students and teachers in its mainly Muslim Xinjiang region from fasting during Ramadan and ordered restaurants to stay open” (Al Jazeera, 2015). There were also other Ramadan-related issues in 2015. Namely, in Indonesia,

There is no legal obligation for Indonesian Muslims to observe Ramadan. However, there are laws obliging certain businesses and entertainment venues to respect those who do. In Jakarta, nightclubs and men’s massage parlours must close for the full month, while karaoke bars, billiard halls and live music venues face restricted opening hours.

The sale of alcohol is also restricted. Police in Jakarta this week made a show of destroying thousands of bottles of liquor that had been seized from unlicensed stalls ahead of the fasting month. The sale and public consumption of food during Ramadan is not restricted, though businesses tend to follow the convention of raising a curtain to block food and diners from view.

Both the religious affairs minister and the governor of Jakarta came under fire this week for defending the right of food stall owners to remain open during daylight hours. Both also warned against the practice of vigilante groups raiding nightlife venues, referred to in local media as ‘sweeping’. The minister and the governor made similar comments regarding the politics of the fasting month, but from two different religious backgrounds (Croft-Cusworth, 2015).

Pilgrimage to Mecca

The fifth pillar of Islam is the hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca. Mecca, Saudi Arabia was the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims are expected to perform a pilgrimage to Meccas once in their life, if they are healthy enough for the journey, and if they can economically afford the trip. Here, the Muslims perform a series of rituals that include visiting both Mecca and Medina (the city of the Prophet, where Muhammad went to after leaving Mecca in 622 a.c.e), visiting mount Arafat, as well as making seven circumventions around the Kaaba.

The Saudi Arabian government is currently in charge of overseeing the protection of Mecca and Medina, two important holy cities in Islam. The government also coordinates the millions of Muslim pilgrims that visit Mecca each year.

Historically, the control of these cities was very important for political and religious leaders, since their ability to govern and oversee these holy sites allowed them to be viewed in high esteem by others. Furthermore, there have also been times when individuals who controlled the holy sites were viewed as important politically. One example of this is Sharif Hussein, who was the Amir of Mecca during World War I. Britain, seeing the powerful status that the Amir had as the overseer of these sites, hoped that he would serve as an ally in the fight against the Ottoman Empire during the War. Sharif Hussein was influential, and did have many supporters, in part because of his prestigious position.

Conclusion

The five pillars of Islam serve as foundational aspects of the faith. They five pillars of Islam offer a testimony of faith, daily prayers, charity towards others, an expectation of fasting during the month of Ramadan, as well as a pilgrimage to Mecca.