Sawm

The Five Pillars of Islam

Among the most important subjects drawn from the hadith are the five pillars of Islam, upon which Muslim life rests. Like the five basic beliefs, the five pillars are not difficult to understand. They show how Islam is a legalistic religion of works. This contrasts with Christianity, in which we are saved by trusting in Jesus, and good works are but the outward evidence of a living faith.

The Creed (Shahada)

The Muslim word for profession of faith or creed is shahada. When compared with the three creeds used throughout Christendom—the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian—the Muslim creed is simple: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”