The Five Pillars of Islam Quiz

The Five Pillars of Islam

• The Shahada, or profession of faith, involves verbally stating "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" three times in front of a witness, making one a member of the Islamic faith.
• Salah, the second Pillar, involves performing prayer rituals five times a day, facing Mecca, and can be done individually or in a group setting, with congregational prayer on Fridays.
• The Third Pillar, Zakat, requires Muslims to give a fixed portion of their wealth to those in need, and many mosques have donation areas for this purpose.
• Sawm, the Fourth Pillar, is observed during the month of Ramadan, involving fasting from dawn to sunset, emphasizing appreciation for what one has and the struggles of the less fortunate.
• Hajj, the Fifth Pillar, is a pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime for able-bodied Muslims, where they visit the Kaaba, the most sacred structure in Islam.
• The Kaaba, located in Mecca, is considered the most important structure in Islam, built by Abraham and Ishmael, and only Muslims are allowed to view it.
• Over two million Muslims take the pilgrimage to Mecca each year, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah advised against it.
• The Five Pillars are outlined in religious texts like the Quran and the hadith of Gabriel and are practiced by both Sunni and Shia Muslims, though interpretations may vary.
• The Shahada is central to the Islamic faith and can be found on architecture, in Arabic writings, and on symbols and flags of Muslim organizations.
• Salah is a daily requirement for Muslims, involving readings from the Quran, prayer, and reflection, and congregational prayer on Fridays.
• Zakat emphasizes the importance of charity in Islam, with donations going to the homeless, refugees, and those affected by natural disasters, and also used for building hospitals, schools, and mosques.
• Sawm serves to remind Muslims to appreciate their blessings and to empathize with the less fortunate, further reinforcing the practice of Zakat.