Exploring concepts of worship in Islam

Umari Stambuli

During the course of this column, we have previously examined how the Holy Qur’an highlights the need to engage in greater good in one’s community or society.

We have also highlighted how decent work is considered, in Islam, as a type of worship. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever finds himself at the nightfall tired of his work (honest search of livelihood), God will forgive his sins.”

What we mean here is that engaging in the search of one’s livelihood, in an honest and upright manner that is, has its own rewards. Seeking knowledge is also one of the highest types of worship, as the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) told his companions that “seeking knowledge is a (religious) duty on every Believer.”

In yet another teaching, he declared: “Seeking knowledge for one hour is better than praying for seventy years.”

Social courtesy and co-operation are part of worship when done for the sake of Allah Almighty as the Prophet Muhammad told us.

“Receiving your fellow human with a smile is a type of charity, helping a person to load his mount (ie, onto any mode of transport) is also a charity…”

It is worth noting that even performing one’s duties is considered a sort of worship. From the previous discussion, we have already highlighted how that the concept of worship in Islam is a comprehensive concept that includes all the positive activities of the individual. In fact, in Islam, all that one does, when done according to the commands of God Almighty and the practice of Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him), is considered as worship.

This of course is in agreement with the all-inclusive nature of Islam as a way of life.

It regulates the human life on all levels: the individual, the social, the economic, the political and the spiritual.

This is why Islam provides guidance to the smallest details of one’s life on all these levels; following these details is following Islamic instructions in that specific area. It is a very encouraging element when one realises that all his activities are considered by God Almighty as acts of worship.

This should lead the individual to seek The Almighty’s pleasure in his actions and always try to do them in the best possible manner whether he is watched by his superiors or he is alone.

There is always the permanent supervisor, who knows everything –Allah Almighty!

Discussing the non-ritual worship in Islam thus, does not mean under evaluating the importance of the ritual ones.

Actual ritual worships, if performed in true spirit, elevate man morally and spiritually and enable them to carry on his activities in all walks of life according to the guidance of God Almighty.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) told us that whatever one spends for his family is a type of charity and he will surely be rewarded for it if he acquires it through legal/ permissible means. For example, kindness to the members of one’s family is classified as an act of worship!

For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of of Islamic Scholars. Publications Department, PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare. Tel: 04-614078/614004. Fax: 04-614003. e-mail: [email protected]