Worship is an
essential and
inseparable part
of the religion
of Islam. In
Islamic
terminology,
Ibaadah
(worship) is a
comprehensive
term that
encompasses
everything that
Allah loves and
is pleased with,
of both
statements and
actions – both
apparent and
hidden. It
embodies
(represents)
utmost love of
Allah through
the utmost
degree of
submission.
Hence, Salaat,
Zakaat, Saum,
Hajj, being
truthful in
speech,
fulfilling one’s
trust, kindness
towards parents,
maintaining
relations with
kin; fulfilling
pledges;
commanding the
good; forbidding
the evil; Jihad
against the
disbelievers and
the hypocrites,
being beneficent
towards the
neighbor, the
orphan, the poor
person, the
traveler and the
owned human or
animal,
supplication,
remembrance (of
Allah),
recitation (of
the Qur’aan) and
the like of all
such, are types
of worship.[1]
The importance
of worship in
Islam can be
realized from
the fact that,
Allah, the Most
Merciful, says
in the Qur’aan,
“I did not
create Jinn and
mankind except
for my worship
(Alone).”[2]
Worship being
the sole purpose
of creation is
binding upon
every human
being. Allah
says, “O mankind
worship your
Lord, Who
created you and
those who were
before you, so
that you may
become pious,”
followed by a
strict warning
and prohibition
of joining
partners with
Him: “…do not
set up rivals
unto Allah while
you know (that
there is nothing
similar to
Him).”[3]
Narrated Mu’adh
bin Jabal (radhi
allahu anhu),
‘The Messenger
of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)
said: “O Mu’adh!
Do you know what
is the right of
Allah on His
slaves?” I
(Mu’adh bin
Jabal) said:
“Allah and His
Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)
know best.” The
Prophet (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)
said: “(the
Right of Allah
on His slaves
is) to worship
Him (Allah)
Alone and join
none (as
partners) in
worship with
Him.” Then he (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)
asked: “Do you
know what is
their (slaves)
right upon Him?”
I replied:
“Allah and His
Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)
know best.” The
Prophet (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)
said: “Not to
punish them (if
they worship Him
alone).”[4]
Along these
lines, if
someone abandons
the worship of
Allah, the
Exalted, he has
not only
destroyed the
purpose of his
creation but
also violated
the Right of
Allah on him.
Since worship is
a sign of
humility -
abandoning
worship is a
sign of pride
and arrogance,
and Allah says,
“…But as for
those who refuse
His worship and
were proud, He
will punish them
with a painful
torment and they
will not find
for themselves
besides Allah
any protectors
and helper.”[5]
[1]
See
Introduction
of, ‘Ibn
Taymiyyah’s
Essay on
Servitude.’
