The five fundamental teachings of Islam, the Kalimah, Salaah, Zakaah, Saum, and Hajj, are known as the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’.

A well-known Tradition of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Ataihe Wasallam) tells us that, “The foundation of Islam rests on these five things; (1) the affirmation of (2) the establishment of Salaah (3) the payment of Zakaah (4) the observance of Saum in the month of Ramadhaan and (5) the performance of Hajj by those who can afford to make the pilgrimage.”

When these five items are spoken of as the Pillars of Islam, it means that these are the fundamental duties of the faith. If carried out properly these duties are capable of producing in us the ability to fulfill our other religious obligations as well. Here we have dwelt only on their importance and the intrinsic spiritual virtue that underlies them. Detailed rules and principles governing them can be learned from reliable, books on Islamic Jurisprudence or directly from a Muslim theologian.