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Learn · ages 3–8

The five pillars of Islam for kids

The five pillars of Islam are the five main acts a Muslim's life is built on: the Shahadah (believing and saying there is no god but Allah and Muhammad ﷺ is His messenger), Salah (praying five times a day), Zakat (giving to people in need), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (the pilgrimage to Makkah, once in a lifetime for those who are able).

Ages 3–8Arabic names with audioCounting song

Teacher review under way.

Like a house

Why “pillars”?

A pillar holds a building up. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that Islam is built on five — just like a house standing on five strong pillars. (Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.)

Hold up one hand: each finger is a pillar. Count them together — Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj — and your hand holds up the whole house!

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The five pillars of Islam

One, two, three, four, five

  1. 1

    الشَّهَادَة

    Shahadah

    Bearing witness

    We believe and say that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His messenger.

    Little ones can: Say “La ilaha illallah” together at bedtime.

  2. 2

    الصَّلَاة

    Salah

    Prayer

    We pray to Allah five times every day.

    Little ones can: Stand beside a grown-up for one prayer.

    More →
  3. 3

    الزَّكَاة

    Zakat

    Giving

    Muslims whose savings reach a set amount give a small part of them every year to people in need.

    Little ones can: Put a coin in a sadaqah box — practice for giving.

    More →
  4. 4

    الصَّوْم

    Sawm

    Fasting

    In Ramadan, grown-ups fast from dawn to sunset. Children practise when they are ready.

    Little ones can: Help at iftar and pass round the dates.

    More →
  5. 5

    الْحَجّ

    Hajj

    Pilgrimage

    Once in their life, grown-ups who are able travel to the Kaaba in Makkah for Hajj.

    Little ones can: Walk seven times round a cushion “Kaaba” and talk about the pilgrims.

    More →

noorhop.com/learn/five-pillars

The first pillar

The Shahadah

Short and simple

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ

La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur rasulullah

“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah”

In full, for older children

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ

Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah

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

These are the most important words in Islam. “Shahadah” means bearing witness, so the full words begin with “Ash-hadu” — “I bear witness”. Little ones can start with the first part, “La ilaha illallah”, and add the rest as they grow.

Sing along

5 Pillars of Islam — Count with Me!

Count the five pillars on your fingers with Noori — a song made for little ones.

Watch the song →
Hands-on

Build a five-pillar house

  1. Collect five kitchen-roll tubes and a piece of card for the roof.
  2. Colour each tube and write a pillar name on it (you write, they decorate).
  3. Stand the tubes in a row, then balance the roof on top.
  4. Take one tube away — what happens? Talk about why every pillar matters.
Sing, play, print

More about the pillars

Song5 Pillars of Islam — Count with Me!Watch →GameMasjid MatchFind the pairs!Play →GamePrayer SkyWhen do we pray?Play →Read nextThe five daily prayers for kidsFajr to Isha: time of day, Arabic names with audio and rak'ahs.Open →Read nextHajj in simple stepsThe story told gently, Hajj in simple steps, qurbani explained kindly and sharing.Open →

Wudu, salah & more

Questions parents ask

What are the five pillars of Islam for kids?

Shahadah (believing and saying there is no god but Allah and Muhammad ﷺ is His messenger), Salah (prayer), Zakat (giving), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (the journey to Makkah).

How do I teach the five pillars to a preschooler?

Use your hand — one finger per pillar — sing the counting song, and connect each pillar to something they see: you praying, the sadaqah box, Ramadan, pictures of the Kaaba.

What is the difference between the pillars of Islam and the pillars of iman?

The five pillars of Islam are things Muslims do. The six pillars of iman (faith) are things Muslims believe. Ask your teacher about the pillars of iman for older children.

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 8 · Sahih Muslim 16

Arabic is copied letter for letter from trusted sources (Qur'an: tanzil.net / quran.com; hadith: sunnah.com). A teacher review is under way. Families and madhhabs differ on some details — ask your teacher.

Keep learning

Five Pillars of Islam Poster for Kids — printable preview
Printable

Five Pillars of Islam Poster for Kids

A five pillars of Islam poster for children that shows Islam as a house standing on five pillars: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, each with its Arabic name, a picture and one simple sentence.

Open →
Ramadan

Zakat al-Fitr explained for kids

The Eid charity in kid-sized words, with a family share counter.

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Song

5 Pillars of Islam — Count with Me!

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Game

Prayer Sky

When do we pray?

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Parent tool

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Tap a moment to hear its du'a, track what your child knows, pick a du'a of the week and print personalised cards.

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Eid

Eid al-Adha for kids

The story told gently, Hajj in simple steps, qurbani explained kindly and sharing.

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