The first pillar is declaration of faith (shahada). There are two shahadas: “There is no god but God” and “Muhammed is the messenger of God”. These shahadas are typically said in Arabic. They are said five times a day during the prayers. They are also the first thing said to new babies and the last thing said to people as they are dying.
The second pillar is prayer (salah). The prayers are said five times a day. Time for prayer is announced by a Muezzin. Before each prayer, there are ablutions. A person washes their hands, face, and feet. The times for the prayers are at sunrise, midday, afternoon, evening, and night. Each prayer is said facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
The third pillar is almsgiving (zakat). This pillar requires all Muslims to give 2.5% of yearly income to charity. The donations are used for upkeep of Islamic sites and are given to the poor.
The fourth pillar is fasting (sawm). This pillar is fasting during Ramadan. Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast during this month between sunrise and sunset every day. At sunset the fasting ends and there are often gatherings and people break their fast with dates. The fasting is intended to remind Muslims that they are all dependent on Allah. At the end of Ramadan there is a three-day holiday called Id-ul-Fitr to celebrate.
The fifth pillar is pilgrimage (Hajj). This pillar requires Muslims to go to Mecca during the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. The Hajj is only required to be completed once, and if the person is able to go. During their time in Mecca, all Muslims wear only white sheets to remind them they are all the same. The events are to walk around the Kaaba seven times, walking between Mount Safa and Mount Marweh, and stoning the Devil in Mina. They go to Arafat and Mina to complete these tasks. The purpose of the Hajj is to follow in the footsteps of Muhammad.