Five Pillars of Islam — Complete Reference for Competitive Exams
The Five Pillars of Islam (Arkan-al-Islam) are the foundation of Muslim religious practice and one of the most consistently tested topics in Pakistan’s competitive examinations. Whether you are sitting for PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS, PMS, OTS or CTS, expect 3–6 MCQs from this chapter in every One Paper exam. In CSS Islamiat (100 marks), Arkan al-Islam is a dedicated unit. This page covers all five pillars in depth — Shahadah, Salat, Sawm, Zakat and Hajj — with every fact examiners have ever tested.
The Five Pillars at a Glance
Pillar
Arabic Name
English Name
Meaning
1st
Shahadah
Declaration of Faith
Testimony of belief
2nd
Salat / Namaz
Prayer
Five daily prayers
3rd
Sawm
Fasting
Fasting in Ramadan
4th
Zakat
Alms-Giving
Obligatory charity
5th
Hajj
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage to Makkah
Daily Prayer Rakats — Quick Reference
Prayer
Time
Sunnah
Farz
After Farz
Fajr
Before sunrise
2
2
—
Zuhr
Midday
4 (before)
4
2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl
Asr
Afternoon
4
4
—
Maghrib
At sunset
—
3
2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl
Isha
Night
4 (before)
4
2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl + 3 Witr + 2 Nafl
Zakat — Key Numbers for Exams
Rate: 2.5% on gold, silver and currency | Nisab (Gold): 7.5 tolas | Nisab (Silver): 52.5 tolas
Heads of Zakat: 8 (mentioned in Surah Tauba, Ayat 60) | Order revealed: 2 A.H. | Full system established: 9 A.H.
Not entitled: Parents, husband, wife, children | Forbidden for: Banu Hashim
Five Pillars of Islam — Frequently Asked Questions
The Five Pillars of Islam are: (1) Shahadah — Declaration of Faith, (2) Salat — Five daily prayers, (3) Sawm — Fasting in Ramadan, (4) Zakat — Obligatory charity (2.5% on wealth above nisab), (5) Hajj — Pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able.
Five Pillars topics typically yield 3–6 MCQs in PPSC and FPSC One Paper exams. Examiners frequently test: rakat counts of prayers, Zakat nisab and rates, Hajj Farz (Ihram, Wuquf, Tawaf-e-Ziyarah), and literal meanings of Arabic terms like Shahadah, Sawm and Zakat.
The word Zakat is derived from the Arabic root zaka. Its literal meaning is “which purifies”. Zakat purifies a Muslim’s wealth and soul. The rate on gold, silver and currency is 2.5%, applicable once the wealth reaches or exceeds the nisab (7.5 tolas of gold or 52.5 tolas of silver).
The three Farz (obligatory acts) of Hajj are: (1) Ihram — entering the sacred state at the Meeqat, (2) Wuquf-e-Arafat — staying at the plain of Arafat on 9th Zilhajj (Hajj is invalid without this), (3) Tawaf-e-Ziyarah — circling the Kaabah seven times after returning from Arafat.
Fasting in Ramadan became obligatory in 2 A.H. (After Hijra). The command to fast was revealed in the month of Sha’aban, and fasting is commanded in Surah Al-Baqarah. The purpose of fasting as described in the Quran is Taqwa (God-consciousness).
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Written by
Sadaqat Ali
Assistant Commissioner and competitive-exam expert. Sadaqat writes and reviews QuizWing's One Paper preparation content across all subjects — General…