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As mentioned earlier, the definition of worship in Islam
is one which is comprehensive, including everything a person perceives, thinks,
intends, feels, says and does. It refers to everything that God requires,
external, internal or interactive. This includes rituals as well as beliefs, work,
social activities, and personal behavior.
There is a distinction between that which is good, that
which is evil and that which is neutral. A good thing is that which is
according to the purposes and nature made by God. It leads to harmony and is,
therefore, a reward in itself because it removes conflict and suffering. It
follows that anything that accords with this must be a form of worship.
This Islamic understanding of worship allows the whole
of one’s life to be an act of worship, as long as the objective of that life is
the pleasure of God, which is achieved by doing good and refraining from evil.
A person can turn everyday activities into acts of worship by purifying his or
her intention and sincerely seeking God’s pleasure through these activities. God’s
Messenger, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:
“Helping a person or his belongings onto his mount
is an act of charity. A good word is charity. Every step taken on the way to
performing prayers is charity. Removing an obstacle from the road is charity.”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
Earning a living can be a form of worship The Companions
saw a man and were astonished by his hard work and industry. They lamented: “If
he were only doing this much work for the sake of God…”
God’s Messenger said:
“If he is working to support his small children,
then it is for the sake of God. If he is working to support his elderly
parents, then it is for the sake of God. If he is working to occupy himself
and keep his desires in check, then it is for the sake of God. If, on the
other hand, he is doing so to show off and earn fame, then he is working for
the sake of Satan.” (al-Mundhiri, as-Suyuti)
Even the most natural acts can become acts of worship if
they are accompanied by the proper intention: God’s Messenger said:
“When one of you approaches his wife, it is an act
of charity.” (Saheeh Muslim)
The same can be said for of eating, sleeping, working
and traits of good character, such as truthfulness, honesty, generosity, courage,
and humbleness, can become worship through sincere intention and deliberate
obedience to God.
In order for these otherwise mundane actions to be
counted as acts of worship deserving of divine reward, the following conditions
must be met:
A. The action must be accompanied by the proper
intention. God’s Messenger said:
“Actions are but by intentions, and a person gets
only what he intended.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
B. The action must be lawful in and of itself. If
the action is something prohibited, its perpetrator deserves punishment. God’s
Messenger said:
“God is pure and good, and He accepts only what is pure
and good.” (Saheeh Muslim)
C. The dictates of Islamic Law must be
completely observed. Deception, oppression, and iniquity must be avoided. God’s
Messenger said:
“He who deceives us is not one of us.” (Saheeh Muslim)
D. The activity should not keep the person from
performing his or her religious obligations. God says:
“O you who believe, do not let your wealth and children
distract you from the remembrance of God…” (Quran 63:9)
As we see here, the concept of worship in Islam is not
restricted to mere monasticism, meditation, or acknowledging the reality in
which God has created us, nor is it one based upon mere ritualism and
performance of certain actions with no apparent meanings. Rather Islam has
combined the inner and the outer and has defined righteousness and placed for
it a reward. It is this comprehensiveness of the concept of worship through
which humans may fulfill the purpose for which they have been created. God
says:
“And I have neither created jinn nor humans, except for My
worship.” (Quran 51:56)
Humans are required to live not according to their
subjective desires, automatisms, mental conditioning or according to the
dictates of social, political or academic authorities, but in accordance with their
cosmic purpose inherent in us: the worship God.
“So set you your face towards the straight religion, the
nature (framed by) God with which He has created humankind. No change let there
be in the creation of God, that is the straight religion, but most people do
not know.” (Quran 30:30)
When one lives their life fulfilling those aspects which
God has commanded, leaving those things which God has forbidden, and according
each of their actions to the Will of God, their life, from morning until
evening, from the time of birth until death, is turned into worship for which
they will be rewarded. This was the state of the Prophets, as God says:
“Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are
for God, the Lord of the all that exists.” (Quran 6:162)
When one achieves this state, they come into harmony with
the rest of creation and return to their natural state of being, as all others
of the creations of God are unconsciously in constant worship of God, as He has
said:
“Do you not see that unto God bow down in worship (or submit
in service and adoration) whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the
earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the
trees, and the beasts, and many among mankind…” (Quran 22:18)
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