What are the five arkaans of Islam?

1. The Declaration of Faith (Shahada):

- The Shahada is the most fundamental principle of Islam, embodying the core belief in the oneness of God and the acceptance of Muhammad as His final prophet.

- It encompasses the acknowledgment that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and the Messenger of God.

2. The Ritual Prayer (Salat):

- Salat entails the performance of prescribed ritual prayers at specific times each day.

- Five obligatory daily prayers - Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha - must be observed, facing towards the sacred direction of the Kaaba.

- Prayer involves standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting poses while reciting verses from the Holy Qur'an, supplications, and glorifications of God.

3. The Obligatory Charity (Zakat):

- Zakat serves as a duty on Muslims with sufficient means to donate a specific portion of their wealth to charitable causes.

- Defined as 2.5% of savings and certain assets each year, Zakat is obligatory upon eligible individuals to assist those in need.

4. The Ritual Fast (Sawm):

- Sawm involves fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, abstaining from eating, drinking, sexual relations, and certain other actions from dawn to sunset.

- Ramadan focuses on self-restraint, discipline, charity, and seeking closeness to God through devotion and acts of compassion.

5. The Sacred Pilgrimage (Hajj):

- Hajj requires able-bodied and financially capable Muslims to make a pilgrimage to Mecca (the Holy City) during the designated period at least once in their lifetime.

- Hajj entails a series of sacred rituals, rites, and prayers performed at various religious sites and culminates in a spiritual cleansing and reconnection with the faith.