Why should people worship Allah ﷻ ?
Ulama Institute #1
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- All acts of worship should be done only for Allah ﷻ , because He alone deserves to be worshipped. Only Allah ﷻ can benefit people, so there is no need for an intercessor between people and Allah ﷻ. If people pray to anyone else for help, they associate a partner with Allah.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , said,
“Du’aa is worship.” [Aboo Daawood]
- Allah ﷻ mentions the importance of directing worship to Him alone and mentions that it is the main purpose for creating people and jinn:
“And I did not create Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Soorat adh-Dhaariyaat: 56)
“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allah and avoid taaghoot”. (Soorat an-Nahl: 36)
- In Soorat al-Faatihah, which Muslims recite in their prayers at least seventeen times a day, they recite:
“It is You we worship and You we ask for help.” (Soorat al-Faatihah: 4)
- This aayah is a clear statement that all forms of worship should only be directed to Allah ﷻ.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
If you ask (in prayer) ask only Allah, and if you seek help, seek it only from Allah.” [Tirmidhi]
Allah says in the Qur’aan
“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (Soorat al-Baqarah: 186)
Discussion questions for comment
- Who alone must be worshipped?
- Explain why there is no need for any intercessor between people and Allah.
Ulama Institute #1
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The Meaning of Worship
What is worship? What does it mean?
- The Arabic word for ‘worship’ is ‘ibaadah and there are two main categories of worship,obligatory and recommended. Obligatory acts of worship are those acts performed:
1- Every day, such as the five daily prayers,
2- Every week, like Jumu’ah prayer,
3- Every year, such as fasting in Ramadaan and Zakah
4- Once in a lifetime, such as Hajj or ‘Umrah.
- Muslims perform these acts of obligatory worship only for Allah ﷻ because He alone deserves to be worshipped. Only Allah ﷻ will reward the people who worship Him.
A Muslim does not need intercession between himself and Allah ﷻ.
Recommended acts of worship such as nawaafil (extra acts of worship) are:
1- Extra prayers,
2- Extra charity,
3- Extra fasting.
4- Dhikr (Rememberance of Allah ﷻ ).
- These acts of worship can be performed at most times. A person who worships Allah ﷻ sincerly will benefit from it. A Muslim must also worship Allah ﷻ , without committing shirk, or showing off.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’aan
“So worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.”(Soorat az-Zumar: 2)
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to one of his companions, Mu’aadh ibn Jabal ,
“O Mu’aadh, do you know the right of Allah ﷻ over the servants, and the right of the servants on Allah?” Mu’aadh said, “Allah ﷻ and the Messenger know best.”
Muhammad ﷺ said,
“Allah’s right over his servants is that they should worship Him and not worship anything besides Him. The right of the servants over Allah ﷻ is that He should not punish them (if they did that).” [Bukhaari]
- A Muslim who intends to do good actions for Allah ﷻ without actually doing them will be rewarded for his/her actions. Things such as good manners, working hard, greeting people, helping others and many other righteous actions, are considered worship of Allah ﷻ .
Discussion questions for comment
- What is the Arabic word for ‘worship’?
- What are the different categories of worship ?
