Five Major Pillars in Islam

Islam is built upon five major pillars. A Muslim is taught that anyone who dies observing these five basic pillars will enter heaven. Pillars they are:

(1) To bear witness that there is no entity worthy of worship except Allah alone, and that Muhammad was His messenger. This establishes obedience to God Almighty alone.

(2) To perform five prescribed prayers to God every day according to a specific prescribed method and at specific prescribed times. This continually reminds us to bear God in mind in all actions, either before or after any given prayer.

(3) To pay two and a half percent of ones wealth to charity every year if their savings exceed a certain minimum level which is considered above the poverty level.

(4) To fast the month of Ramadhan every year from sun rise until sunset. This involves not eating, drinking, or having marital relations, from sun rise until sun set.

(5) To perform a pilgrimage to Makkah once in a Muslim's lifetime if it is financially possible and their health permits.