What are the Five Pillars and why do Muslims follow them?
The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam, including Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, and their meaning for believers.
A focused answer on the Five Pillars for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, plus the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, know the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam, and explain the meaning and importance of each pillar for believers. The exam rewards explaining what each duty does for the believer, not just naming it.
The Five Pillars (Sunni)
Each pillar is a practical duty that expresses faith and total submission to Allah (the meaning of "Islam"). Together they shape the daily, yearly and lifetime rhythm of a Muslim's life.
What each pillar means for the believer
- Shahadah is the core declaration of belief in Tawhid and Muhammad's prophethood; saying it sincerely makes a person a Muslim and it is whispered to the newborn and the dying.
- Salah keeps the believer in contact with Allah five times a day, structuring the whole day around worship and reminding the Muslim of their dependence on God.
- Zakah purifies wealth by giving a fixed share to those in need, reducing inequality and reminding Muslims that all wealth comes from Allah.
- Sawm in Ramadan builds self-discipline, empathy for the hungry and closeness to Allah, marking the month in which the Qur'an was first revealed.
- Hajj unites Muslims of every nation, who dress in simple white ihram to show equality before Allah, and re-enacts events linked to Ibrahim, Hajar and Isma'il.
The Ten Obligatory Acts (Shia)
The Shia list overlaps with the Five Pillars but is framed differently and adds duties such as khums and the social commands to encourage good and forbid evil, reflecting Shia emphasis on justice and right leadership.
Why the pillars matter
The pillars are obligatory acts of worship that strengthen faith, build self-discipline, care for the poor and unite the worldwide Muslim community (the ummah). They turn belief into daily practice, which is why they are described as the pillars holding up the structure of a Muslim's faith.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20172 marksName two of the Five Pillars of Islam.Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 question. Any two of: Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakah (charity), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage). One mark each for two correct, distinct pillars. No explanation is needed at this tariff, but the Arabic names plus a short gloss are safest.
AQA 20204 marksExplain two reasons why Sawm (fasting) is important to Muslims. Refer to scripture or another source of Islamic belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Reason one: Sawm builds self-discipline and closeness to Allah, since fasting from dawn to sunset in Ramadan focuses the believer on prayer and the Qur'an, which was first revealed in Ramadan. Reason two: it creates empathy for the poor and hungry and encourages charity. Source: "fasting is prescribed for you as it was for those before you, that you may become righteous" (Qur'an 2:183). Markers reward two distinct, developed reasons plus a source.
AQA 202212 marks"Salah is the most important of the Five Pillars." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to Islamic teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for Salah: it is performed five times daily, keeping the believer in constant contact with Allah, and is the first thing a Muslim will be judged on. Arguments against: the Shahadah is more fundamental, since without declaring faith the other pillars have no meaning; Hajj or Zakah could be argued to express submission and community most fully. Use terms (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj). Reach a justified conclusion weighing the daily centrality of Salah against the foundational role of the Shahadah.
Related dot points
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)