Illustration
This infographic illustrates the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the core practices of the religion, established during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (7th century CE) —Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage). Rooted in earlier Abrahamic traditions, these obligations were systematized as Islam expanded, ensuring religious unity across diverse regions. The Shahada affirmed monotheism, distinguishing Islam from pre-Islamic Arabian polytheism. Salah formalized prayer rituals influenced by existing devotional practices. Zakat institutionalized charity, reinforcing social cohesion. Sawm, practiced during Ramadan, aligned with earlier fasting traditions. Hajj linked Muslims to Mecca, integrating pre-Islamic pilgrimage customs into Islamic monotheism. Over time, these pillars shaped Islamic governance, law, and identity across the Muslim world.
About the Author
Related Images
Muhammad Conquers Mecca & Destroys Its Idols
Islamic Conquests in the 7th-9th Centuries
Expansion of Early Islamic Caliphates
Temple of the Pillars Chichen Itza
Djed Pillars, Hall of Osiris, Abydos
18th-century Mughal Miniature Quran
Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2025, February 03). The Five Pillars of Islam (Arkan al-Islam). World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19955/the-five-pillars-of-islam-arkan-al-islam/
Chicago Style
Netchev, Simeon. "The Five Pillars of Islam (Arkan al-Islam)." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 03, 2025. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19955/the-five-pillars-of-islam-arkan-al-islam/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "The Five Pillars of Islam (Arkan al-Islam)." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 03 Feb 2025. Web. 19 Feb 2025.
