The five pillars are the foundation of a Muslim’s life. A hand and a house make them easy to picture.
The five pillars
| Finger | Pillar | For children | Something to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thumb | Shahadah | Believing in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ | Learn the shahadah |
| Index | Salah | Praying five times a day | Pray one prayer together |
| Middle | Zakah | Giving part of savings to people in need | See zakat |
| Ring | Sawm | Fasting in Ramadan | A practice fast |
| Little | Hajj | Pilgrimage to Makkah, once in a lifetime if able | Find Makkah on a map |
“Islam is built on five” (Sahih al-Bukhari 8).
The house picture
Draw a house with five pillars holding up the roof. “If a pillar is missing, the house is weak.”
The shahadah
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ
By age
- 4–6: names and the hand.
- 7–9: what each means; doing small parts.
- 10+: the reasons and rulings.
Teacher’s tip: hold up your hand and ask “Which finger is salah?” at random times. Children love the quiz and remember all five.
Related: Why five prayers and the Ka’bah.
