What Are The Five Things Islam is Built Upon? It’s said that Islam is built upon five things, but what are they and why are they important? This is the Hadith 3 of the Forty Hadith of Imam al-Nawaw.
Praise be to Allah.
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:
Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.
[Bukhari & Muslim]
This hadith focuses on the five pillars of Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) describes the foundations of Islam as having been “built upon five.” These foundational actions are either of the tongue, heart or otherwise.
1. Shahadah: The Declaration of Faith
A Muslim has to say and believe in the statement: “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasulAllah.” “I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”
2. Establishing Prayer
The second pillar of Islam, after the declaration of faith, is the establishment of prayer.
3. Paying the Zakaah (Obligatory Charity)
The third pillar of Islam is foundational. Allah (SWT) said “And they who are observant of Zakah.” (The Quran 23:4)
4. Hajj
Hajj is to make a pilgrimage to the house of Allah, the Kabah, in Mecca to perform the traditional rights that were performed by the Prophet (PBUH).
5. Fasting the Month of Ramadan
“Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed upon you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain God-consciousness (taqwa)” (The Quran 2:183).
This is from 40hadithnawawi
And Allah knows best.