Worship in Islam

Worship in Islam | Muslim Ways of Worship

Worship has played a vital role in human’s life as through worship one can communicate with his Lord. Worship has a unique role in religion Islam as it shows that a person is a true Muslim who lives his/her life according to the will of Almighty Allah by accepting His commands and implementing them in real life.

The basic purpose of worship is to attain nearness to Allah (SWT) with what He loves and is pleased with. It is necessary for worship that it has to be based on clear guidance and to be free from divergence. In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah says about worship in these words: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Quran, 51:56)

Worship is everything one says or does for the pleasure of Allah Almighty. This includes rituals in Islam as well as beliefs, social activities, and personal contributions to the welfare of one’s fellow human beings. One should require submitting himself completely to Allah Almighty, as the Holy Quran instructed the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to do: “Say (O Muhammad) my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death belong to Allah; He has no partner and I am ordered to be among those who submit, i.e.; Muslims.” (Quran, 6:162, 163)

Worship involves that one fulfill certain deeds which Almighty Allah has commanded in His religion Islam, whether they deal with the inner self or the outer body, and whether they be obligatory or voluntary.  Worship is not only limited to following Allah’s commandments, but it is also inclusive of leaving those things which He has forbidden to do so. Now we can define worship as anything believed, felt, or done as an act of obedience to Allah Almighty. In Holy Quran Allah (SWT) said: “There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (God) as an obedient slave.” (Quran 19:93)

Worship should be done with obedience, love, and affection for Allah Almighty. No act of obedience is considered as worship unless it is connected the feelings and action of love, hold in esteem and have admiration for the One the action is being performed that is Allah (SWT). We all should know that worship is just for Allah Almighty and worship anyone besides Allah (SWT) is strictly prohibited in Islam.  Worship saves the human beings from invasion to anything besides Allah Almighty and prevents a person from surrendering his/her will to false Gods. Submission to Allah (SWT) is a great source of strength.

Foundations of Worship

Certain criteria determine whether an act can be considered worship. For instance, Islam teaches that the merit of a person’s action depends on the intention. Muslims believe that God looks at people’s hearts, not just their physical deeds. For an action to be regarded as worship, it must be performed with the pure intention of pleasing God. Therefore, the concept of worship in Islam encourages people to connect with God in every action they take, strengthening their bond with their Creator. In doing so, a person gains a sense of true peace that comes with carrying out their purpose in life.

In addition to purifying one’s intention, a person’s deeds must also be consistent with divine guidance. While God has inspired an intuitive moral sense in every individual, people do not always act in a just and ethical manner. In fact, our ability to judge between right and wrong can often be muddled by external influences, outward appearances or ulterior motives. Hence, having a moral compass alone does not enable one to internalize righteousness or bring one closer to God. (Read more: Morality and Ethics in Islam)

In order to guide humans to His worship and to truly differentiate between good and evil, God sent prophets as teachers and role models. He also revealed holy scriptures which provide us with knowledge directly from God and serve as manuals for virtuous living. 

The combination of prophetic examples and divine scriptures reinforces our moral inclinations and equips us with the knowledge to discern between right and wrong. They also provide us with the criterion which enables us to assess our own motives and deeds. Above all, they teach us how to worship God and to lead a life that pleases Him.

Islam is the culmination of God’s message since the time of Adam. The God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all the other prophets, is the same God who sent Muhammad_p as His final messenger to humankind and revealed the Quran, God’s last scripture, to him. The Quran, the only divine book to remain intact in its original text, upholds the pure teachings of previous revelations. It is a testament to the continuity of God’s message from the beginning of human history, guiding people to achieve their fundamental purpose in life.

The guidance of the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammad_p, whose teachings have been meticulously preserved, form the basis of worship in Islam. It must be noted here that while Muslims esteem all of the prophets sent by God, including Jesus and Muhammad_p, they do not worship any of them. In fact, worshipping any one besides the One God is strictly prohibited in Islam. Rather, Muslims invoke God to send blessings upon all the messengers and prophets.

Rites of Worship

Indeed, every single aspect of a person’s life can fit under the umbrella of worship in Islam, so long as the person’s intention is to please God and the action is consistent with the Quran and prophetic example. At the same time, certain core rituals form the basis of a Muslim’s worship of God.

Quran

The Quran, which literally means the ‘oft-repeated,’ is, according to Muslim belief, the final revelation of God to humanity. It provides guidance in all areas of life. The recitation, study and memorization of Quran form a central facet of worship for Muslims. The Quran is also recited during every prayer. Although it is widely read in its original Arabic, various translations in numerous languages are also available. (Read more: Quran, the Word of God)

Prayer

Islam enjoins Muslims to offer five prayers throughout the day at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. Prayer enables Muslims to physically and mentally take a break from their worldly activities to connect with God several times a day. The prayers consist of praising God while standing, bowing and prostrating, maintaining the practice of Muhammad, Jesus, Moses and all the other prophets, peace be upon them all. On Fridays, Muslims attend a special congregational noon prayer, complete with a brief sermon. (Click here to learn more.)

Mosques

The house of worship in Islam is called a mosque. Many Muslims congregate at mosques for prayer while others choose to pray at home, work or wherever they may be. While the primary use of a mosque is prayer, it also serves as a community center with people gathering to listen to lectures, attend study groups or enjoy communal dinners. Mosques are especially active on Fridays for the congregational noon prayer and during Ramadan for the nightly prayers. (If you’d like to visit a mosque, let us know!)

Ramadan

Muslims fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, by refraining from eating, drinking and sexual interaction from dawn to sunset. Fasting instills self-restraint, provides spiritual cleansing and strengthens one’s willpower. While fasting, Muslims strive to increase charitable acts and control bad habits such as foul language, gossip and anger. (Learn more: Ramadan, the Month of Fasting)

Charity

Muslims must give 2.5% of their annual savings to help the poor, the needy and the oppressed. This act of devotion acknowledges that all wealth comes from God and purifies the soul from material greed. In addition, Islam encourages voluntary acts of charity, be they monetary or physical. A famous prophetic tradition states, ‘Smiling is charity.’ (Read more here.)

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca must be performed by every Muslim once in their life if they are physically and financially able. It symbolizes the unity of humankind as Muslims from every race, nationality and social status assemble together in equality to worship God, following the traditions of Abraham. (See Hajj: The Journey of a Lifetime)

Holy Days

The two Eid festivals mark important holy days for Muslims. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the completion of Ramadan while Eid-al-Adha falls during the days of Hajj. Both occasions begin with a congregational prayer and a sermon; these are followed by festive meals, gift-giving and socializing.

Supplication

Muslims supplicate to and address God directly for their needs and desires anytime and anywhere. This direct relationship is an essential element of worship in Islam. Whether asking for guidance, seeking solace or beseeching God for forgiveness, Muslims reach out to God at any time, without an intermediary. The practice of confession to another being does not exist in Islam.