1st Pillar: The Testimony of Faith. To declare that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His final Messenger.
2nd Pillar: Prayers. To be performed five times daily: once each at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset and at night.
3rd Pillar: Prescribed Charity. This is an annual compulsory charity paid to those less fortunate and is calculated at 2.5% of one’s total wealth. It is paid by those who have excess wealth beyond their basic needs.
4th Pillar: Fasting the Month of Ramadan. Throughout this month, Muslims must refrain from all food, drink and sexual relations with their spouses, from dawn to sunset. They also endeavour to refrain from all bad deeds.
5th Pillar: The Pilgrimage. If a Muslim has the means to do so, they are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, at least once in their lifetime. It involves prayer, supplication, charity and travelling, and is a very humbling and spiritual experience that unites the Muslim nation.
