The Meaning of Worship
The statement of Allâh - the Most High - : “I did not create the Jinn, nor mankind, except to worship Me.” [Sûratudh-Dhâriyât 51:56]
Shaykhul-Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) rahimahullâh - said:
“Worship (al-’Ibâdah) is obedience to Allâh by following that which He ordered upon the tongues of His Messengers.” He also said, “Worship (al-’Ibâdah) is a comprehensive term covering everything that Allâh loves and is pleased with - whether saying, or actions, outward and inward.” [2]
Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“Worship revolves around fifteen principles. Whosoever completes them has completed the stages of ’ubûdiyyah (servitude to Allâh). The explanation of this is that ’ibâdah is divided between the heart, the tongue, and the limbs. And that for each one of these three come five types of rulings, covering all actions: wâjib (obligatory), mustahabb (recommended), harâm (prohibited), makrûh (disliked), and mubâh (permissible).” [3]
Imâm al-Qurtubî (d.671H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The root of ’ibâdah is humility and submissiveness. The various duties that have been prescribed upon the people are called ’ibâdât (acts of worship), since what is required is that these acts of worship must be done with humility and submissiveness to Allâh - the Most High.” [4]
Ibn Kathîr (d.774H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“And ’ibâdah is obedience to Allâh by acting upon what He commands, and abandoning what He forbids; and this is the reality and essence of Islâm. And the meaning of Islâm is: istislâm (submission and surrender) to Allâh - the Most High - along with the utmost compliance, humility, and submissiveness to Him.”
He also said whilst explaining the above âyah:
“Indeed Allâh - the Most High - created the creation so that they could worship Him alone, without associating any partner with Him. Whoever obeys Him will be completely rewarded, whereas whoever disobeys Him would be punished with a severe punishment. And He has informed that He is neither dependant, nor does He have any need for them. Rather, it is they who are in dire need of Him, in every condition and circumstance, since He is the One who created, sustains, and provides for them.” [5]
gift for you
Wonder...?
If prophet Muhammad visited you just for a day or two,
If he came unexpectedly I wonder what you would do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room
To such an honoured guest,
And all the food you'd serve him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring him,
Your glad to have him there,
That serving him in your home,
Is joy beyond compare.
But... when you saw him coming,
Would you meet him at the door,
With arms outstretched to your visitor?
Or... would you have to change your clothes before you let him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Qur'an where they had been?
Would you still watch the same movies
On your T.V set?
Or would you switch it off
Before he got upset?
Would you turn off the radio
And hope he hadn't heard?
Or wish you hadn't uttered that last hasty word?
Would you hide all your worldly music,
And instead take hadith books out?
Could you let him walk right in,
Or would you have to rush about?
And I wonder if the prophet spent
A day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing,
The things you always do?
Would you go on saying,
The things you always say?
Would life for you continue,
As it does from day to day?
Would your family squabbles,
Keep up their usual pace,
And would you find it hard each meal
To say a table grace?
Would you keep up each and every prayer
Without putting on a frown?
And would you always jump up early
For prayer at dawn?
Would you sing the songs you always sing?
And read the books you read?
And let him know the things on which,
Your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take the prophet with you
Everywhere you plan to go?
Or, would you maybe change your plans,
Just for a day or so?
Would you be glad to have him meet
Your very closest friends?
Or, would you hope they stay away
Until his visit ends?
Would you be glad to have him stay
Forever on and on...
Or would you sigh with great relief
When he at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know,
The things that you would do...
If prophet Muhammad, in person,
Came to spend some time with you.
The statement of Allâh - the Most High - : “I did not create the Jinn, nor mankind, except to worship Me.” [Sûratudh-Dhâriyât 51:56]
Shaykhul-Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) rahimahullâh - said:
“Worship (al-’Ibâdah) is obedience to Allâh by following that which He ordered upon the tongues of His Messengers.” He also said, “Worship (al-’Ibâdah) is a comprehensive term covering everything that Allâh loves and is pleased with - whether saying, or actions, outward and inward.” [2]
Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“Worship revolves around fifteen principles. Whosoever completes them has completed the stages of ’ubûdiyyah (servitude to Allâh). The explanation of this is that ’ibâdah is divided between the heart, the tongue, and the limbs. And that for each one of these three come five types of rulings, covering all actions: wâjib (obligatory), mustahabb (recommended), harâm (prohibited), makrûh (disliked), and mubâh (permissible).” [3]
Imâm al-Qurtubî (d.671H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The root of ’ibâdah is humility and submissiveness. The various duties that have been prescribed upon the people are called ’ibâdât (acts of worship), since what is required is that these acts of worship must be done with humility and submissiveness to Allâh - the Most High.” [4]
Ibn Kathîr (d.774H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“And ’ibâdah is obedience to Allâh by acting upon what He commands, and abandoning what He forbids; and this is the reality and essence of Islâm. And the meaning of Islâm is: istislâm (submission and surrender) to Allâh - the Most High - along with the utmost compliance, humility, and submissiveness to Him.”
He also said whilst explaining the above âyah:
“Indeed Allâh - the Most High - created the creation so that they could worship Him alone, without associating any partner with Him. Whoever obeys Him will be completely rewarded, whereas whoever disobeys Him would be punished with a severe punishment. And He has informed that He is neither dependant, nor does He have any need for them. Rather, it is they who are in dire need of Him, in every condition and circumstance, since He is the One who created, sustains, and provides for them.” [5]
gift for you
Wonder...?
If prophet Muhammad visited you just for a day or two,
If he came unexpectedly I wonder what you would do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room
To such an honoured guest,
And all the food you'd serve him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring him,
Your glad to have him there,
That serving him in your home,
Is joy beyond compare.
But... when you saw him coming,
Would you meet him at the door,
With arms outstretched to your visitor?
Or... would you have to change your clothes before you let him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Qur'an where they had been?
Would you still watch the same movies
On your T.V set?
Or would you switch it off
Before he got upset?
Would you turn off the radio
And hope he hadn't heard?
Or wish you hadn't uttered that last hasty word?
Would you hide all your worldly music,
And instead take hadith books out?
Could you let him walk right in,
Or would you have to rush about?
And I wonder if the prophet spent
A day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing,
The things you always do?
Would you go on saying,
The things you always say?
Would life for you continue,
As it does from day to day?
Would your family squabbles,
Keep up their usual pace,
And would you find it hard each meal
To say a table grace?
Would you keep up each and every prayer
Without putting on a frown?
And would you always jump up early
For prayer at dawn?
Would you sing the songs you always sing?
And read the books you read?
And let him know the things on which,
Your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take the prophet with you
Everywhere you plan to go?
Or, would you maybe change your plans,
Just for a day or so?
Would you be glad to have him meet
Your very closest friends?
Or, would you hope they stay away
Until his visit ends?
Would you be glad to have him stay
Forever on and on...
Or would you sigh with great relief
When he at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know,
The things that you would do...
If prophet Muhammad, in person,
Came to spend some time with you.
