There are five obligatory acts of worship that every Muslim must dutifully carry out. Failure to do so is a grave sin. The edifice of Islam rests upon these five pillars. One cannot be considered a Muslim if he or she denies that any one of these acts is obligatory.

The five obligations of Muslims are as follows:

1. The Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)
2. Praying Five Times a Day (Salah)
3. Paying The Yearly Alms (Zakah)
4. Fasting During Ramadan (Sawm)
5. Making The Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj)