List and explain the five Pillars of Islam

Answer 1

The first of these is the profession of faith: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Messenger.". This expression is often on the lips of the devout Muslim, both in prayer and as a prelude to everyday activities.
The second pillar is prayer, required five times daily (three times for Shi'ites) at prescribed intervals. Two of these prayers mark dawn and sunset. Business comes to a halt as the faithful prostrate themselves before God. Muslims may pray anywhere, but wherever they are, they must turn toward Mecca. There also is a congregational prayer at noon on Friday, the Muslim Sabbath.
The third pillar is almsgiving. In earlier times, Muslims were required to give a fixed proportion of their income as charity, similar to the concept of the tithe in the Christian church. Today, the donations are voluntary. Even Muslims of very modest means give what they can to those in need.
The fourth pillar is fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Muslims are required to abstain from food, liquids, smoking, and sexual activity from dawn to sunset throughout Ramadan. The lunar month of Ramadan falls earlier each year in the solar calendar and thus periodically occurs in summer. In the torrid Middle East and North Africa, that timing imposes special hardships on the faithful, who, even if they are performing manual labor, must resist the urge to drink water during the long, hot days.
The final pillar is the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam's holiest city. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able is required to make the journey once in his or her lifetime.