The status of worship in Islam

Co-author: Dr. Fathy Muhammad Az-Zughby

We realize the status of worship in Islam and its great importance through some matters:

The Qur'anic style in speaking about it:

In Allah's Saying: "And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)." [Surat Az-Zariyat: 56], Allah used the confinement style through negation and affirmation which is the most powerful style in Arabic which means negation from one side and the total confinement from the other hand i.e., negating any purpose of human existence except the worship of Allah and confining the purpose to the worship of Allah.

Therefore, the call of all Prophets included the command of worship directly after the command of unifying Allah. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) but We revealed to him (saying): Lâ ilâha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allâh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)." [Surat Al Anbiya': 25].

Then other Ayahs come to speak about the missions of man in this universe to realize that these missions are types of worships for which man was created, for example:

A- When we read Allah's Saying: "They said: We (Children of Israel) had suffered troubles before you came to us, and since you have come to us. He said: It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you successors on the earth, so that He may see how you act?" [Surat Al A`raf: 129], we realize that the construction and management of the earth according to the commands of Allah is a type of worship.

B- When we read Allah's Saying: "O Dawud (David)! Verily! We have placed you as a successor on earth, so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire." [Surat Sad: 26], and the Ayahs which commanded the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to rule according to the commands which Allah revealed: "So, judge among them by what Allâh has revealed, and follow not their vain desires." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 49], we realize that ruling and judgment between people is a type of worship.

C- When we read Allah's Saying: "He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it, etc.), so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection." [Surat Al Mulk: 15], we know that walking in the walks of earth which Allah subjugated to His Servants for earning is one of the missions with which Allah commanded His Servants, so it is included in the high goal for creating man. Likewise is Allah's Saying: "Say: Travel in the land and see how (Allâh) originated the creation, and then Allâh will bring forth the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allâh is Able to do all things." [Surat Al `Ankabut: 20].

We deduce from the Ayah that walking on earth to know the beginning of creation and the universe is one of the acts of worship by which a researcher in the nature and cosmos draws nearer to his Lord. It was said: "Thinking for an hour is better than staying up a whole night for worship." [1]

All these issues a person is commanded to observe and work accordingly as was said in Allah's Saying: "And perform As-Salât (Iqamat-as-Salât), and give Zakât and obey the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) that you may receive mercy (from Allâh)." [Surat An-Nur: 56].

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) described His Prophets and Messengers with worship in many positions:

Allah (Glory be to Him) said about Dawud (peace be upon him): "And to Dawud (David) We gave Sulayman (Solomon). How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!" [Surat Sad: 30].

Allah (Glory be to Him) said about Jesus (peace be upon him): "He ['Isâ (Jesus)] was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father)." [Surat Az-Zukhruf: 59].

Allah (Glory be to Him) said about Noah: "O offspring of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nûh (Noah)! Verily, he was a grateful slave." [Surat Al Isra': 3].

Allah said about Job (peace be upon him): "And remember Our slave Ayyûb (Job), when he invoked his Lord (saying):" [Surat Sad: 41].

Allah (Glory be to Him) described His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the position of honor by "His Servant":

In the position of support with the eternal miracle, He said: "And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'ân) to Our slave (Muhammad peace be upon him), then bring a Sûrah (chapter) of the like thereof." [Surat Al Baqarah: 23].

In the position of gaining victory over enemies in war, He said: "If you have believed in Allâh and in that which We sent down to Our slave (Muhammad peace be upon him) on the Day of criterion (between right and wrong)." [Surat Al Anfal: 41].

In the position of honor by telling him about his status among Messengers and Prophets during the Midnight Journey: "Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] [Tafsir Qurtubi, Vol. 10, Page 204] Who took His slave (Muhammad peace be upon him) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad peace be upon him) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." [Surat Al Isra': 1].

In the position of closeness and privcy, his Lord said about him: "Then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, * And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer, * So (Allâh) revealed to His slave [Muhammad peace be upon him through Jibrîl (Gabriel) peace be upon him] whatever He revealed." [Surat An-Najm: 8 - 10].

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[1] [Reported by Al Bayhaqy in the branches of faith, No. 118, on the authority of Abu Ad-Darda' and in the classification of Ibn Abu Shaybah, No. 35223 on the authority of Al Hasan].