Question: what are the five basic pillars of islam?
Answer: Profession of Faith (shahada). The belief that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" is central to Islam. ... 
Prayer (salat). Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. ... 
Alms (zakat). ... 
Fasting (sawm). ... 
Pilgrimage (hajj).