The Five (False) Pillars of Islam

“Salvation is found in Christ alone. Not by doing good works or visiting long lists of relics or giving money to the church.” – Martin Luther

The false religion known as Islam contains five key principles referred to as the Five Pillars. These are acknowledged and practiced by Muslims throughout the world, regardless of their particular sect, and viewed as compulsory for those who wish to pursue a life similar to that of the false prophet Muhammad.

According to the Quran, the Muslim book of heretical teaching, the Five Pillars are as follows…

First pillar: Shahada (Declaration of Faith) This pillar requires adherents to recite in Arabic the following incantation: “There is no god but God (and) Muhammad is the messenger of God (or ‘and Muhammad is his prophet’)." The Shahada, or profession of faith, is said five times a day during prayer. It is the first thing said to a newborn, and the last thing said to a person on their deathbed.

Second Pillar: Salah (Prayer) Before a prayer is observed, ablutions are performed including washing one's hands, face and feet. Then a caller chants aloud and verses from the Quran are read, after which prostrate followers bow in the direction of Mecca five times per day.

Third Pillar: Zakat (Almsgiving) This is basically a 2.5% tax on a person’s wealth to pay for the upkeep of mosques and other religious sites and to provide for the poor.

Fourth Pillar: Sawm (Fasting) This takes place annually during the month of Ramadan, during which believers are expected to abstain from any food, drink, sexual intercourse, or smoking from sunrise to sunset.

Fifth Pillar: Hajj (Pilgrimage) During one's life, every Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca during the 12th month of the lunar calendar, wearing only two white sheets so all the pilgrims are identical and there is no class distinction among them.

And yet, having followed all Five Pillars religiously throughout their lives, Muslims will still spend eternity in hell unless they reject their false religion built on human works and accept the free gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ. Let’s pray that God opens their eyes, individually and collectively, before it is too late.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President