The pillars of Islam and iman

One day, while the Prophet ﷺ was sitting with his companions, a man came in white clothing with jet-black hair. No trace of travel was on him, and no one knew him. He sat down beside the Prophet ﷺ and asked him about Islam, iman and ihsan. When he left, the Prophet ﷺ said: “That was Jibril — he came to teach you your religion.” (Muslim)

The whole religion rests on what was said that night.

What is Islam — the five pillars

Al-islāmu an tashhada an lā ilāha illallāhu wa anna Muḥammadan rasūlullāh, wa tuqīmaṣ-ṣalāta, wa tu'tiyaz-zakāta, wa taṣūma ramaḍāna, wa taḥujjal-bayta inistaṭaʿta ilayhi sabīlā.

“Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish the prayer, to give zakat, to fast Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able.” (Muslim)

1. The Shahada

The testimony, with the heart and the tongue:

Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlullāh.

“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

It is the gate of Islam and the foundation of everything else: to devote all worship to Allah alone, and to follow the Prophet ﷺ.

2. Prayer (Salah)

The five daily prayers — Fajr, Dhuhr, ʿAsr, Maghrib and ʿIshaʾ. The first thing a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgement. A connection between the servant and the Lord, five times a day.

3. Zakat

An obligatory yearly portion of one’s wealth (most commonly 2.5%) given to specific categories — the poor, the needy and others Allah has named. A purification of wealth and of the soul from miserliness.

4. Fasting (Sawm)

Abstaining from food, drink and desire from dawn until sunset throughout the month of Ramadan. A school of patience, God-consciousness and compassion for those who have nothing.

5. Hajj

The journey to the Kaʿbah in Makkah and the performance of its rites — once in a lifetime, for whoever is physically and financially able.

What is iman — the six pillars

An tu'mina billāhi wa malā'ikatihi wa kutubihi wa rusulihi wal-yawmil-ākhiri, wa tu'mina bil-qadari khayrihi wa sharrihi.

“To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers and the Last Day, and to believe in the divine decree, its good and its bad.” (Muslim)

1. Belief in Allah

That Allah is One, with no partner; that He alone deserves worship; belief in His names and attributes as He has revealed them, without likening Him to His creation.

2. Belief in the angels

Allah’s creation made of light, who never disobey Him and carry out what they are commanded. Among them are Jibril, Mikaʾil, Israfil and others.

3. Belief in the revealed books

That Allah sent down books to His messengers — the Torah, the Zabur, the Injil and others — and the final, preserved one is the Qur’an, which confirms and completes what came before it.

4. Belief in the messengers

From Adam to the last of them, Muhammad ﷺ. They all called to the same thing: the worship of Allah alone. We believe in all of them and make no distinction between them in that they were Allah’s messengers.

5. Belief in the Last Day

That this world will end, that people will be resurrected, that accounts will be settled, and that Paradise or the Fire will follow — by Allah’s justice and mercy.

6. Belief in the divine decree (qadar)

That Allah knows everything before it happens, that it is all written, that only what He wills comes to pass, and that He created everything by measure. Alongside this remains the human duty to strive and to choose good.

And ihsan?

The third question that night was about ihsan — the summit of the religion:

“To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then He surely sees you.” (Muslim)

Islam is deeds, iman is the belief of the heart, and ihsan is to do both with presence and sincerity, aware that you stand before Allah.

Going further

For the details of prayer, fasting and zakat — the conditions, pillars and recommended acts — see the Islamic Handbook. It is all in the Jannah app too, along with prayer times, the Qur’an and dhikr.