The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli
The concept of worship in Islam is misunderstood by many people including some Muslims.
Worship is commonly taken to mean performing ritualistic acts such as prayers, fasting and charity, but this limited understanding of worship is only one part of the meaning.
This is why the traditional definition of worship in Islam is a comprehensive definition that includes almost everything in any individual’s activities.
To be more precise, the definition reads: “Worship is an inclusive term for all that The Creator (God Almighty) loves of external and internal sayings and actions of a person.”
It is everything one says or does for the pleasure of Allah Almighty.
This, of course, includes rituals as well as beliefs, social activities, and personal contributions to the welfare of one’s fellow human beings and all creation.
Islam looks at the individual as a whole.
He is required to submit himself completely to Allah Almighty, as the Holy Qur’an instructed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 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 (Muslims)….” (Holy Qur’aan Ch 6: v 162).
The natural result of this submission is that all of one’s activities should conform to the instructions of the one to whom he is submitting.
Islam, being a way of life, requires its followers model their lives according to its teachings in every aspect, “religious” or otherwise.
This might sound strange to some people who think of religion as a personal relationship between the individual and God, having no impact on one’s activities outside rituals.
As a matter of fact we cannot think much of mere rituals when they are performed mechanically and have no influence on one’s inner life.
The Holy Qur’an addresses this important issue when highlighting the need to engage in greater good in community and society: “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West (in prayer), but righteous is he who believes in God and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers, and gives of his wealth for love of Him to kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, those who ask and to set slaves free; and observes (daily) prayer and pays the charity due.
And those who keep their pledge/promise when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress; such are those who are sincere, such are the God-fearing.” (Holy Qur’an Ch2: v177)
The deeds in the above verse are the deeds of righteousness and they are also a part of worship.
The Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) told us about faith, which is the basis of worship, that it “is made up of about sixty branches: the highest of which is the belief in the Oneness of God Almighty, (ie. there is only one God) and the lowest is removing obstacles / dirt from the path of people (being environmentally conscious).
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department,
PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003, e-mail: [email protected]
