Short answer
The five pillars of Islam are: Shahadah (declaring faith in one God and Muhammad ﷺ as His messenger), Salah (five daily prayers), Zakah (obligatory charity), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those able).
| Pillar | What it means |
|---|---|
| Shahadah | Declaring belief in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ |
| Salah | Praying five times a day |
| Zakah | Giving 2.5% of eligible savings to those in need |
| Sawm | Fasting from dawn to sunset in Ramadan |
| Hajj | Pilgrimage to Makkah, if able, once in a lifetime |
Teaching children the pillars
- Link each pillar to a family routine
- Let children count the daily prayers with you
- Involve them in giving charity at Ramadan
Frequently asked questions
At what age should children learn the pillars?
Many families introduce them from around age 5, with more detail as children grow.
Want a teacher to help?
1-to-1 online classes for UK children and adults, male and female teachers, from £40/month. Start with a free trial.