Worship: Fulfilling one’s duties towards Allah means obeying His orders and avoiding His prohibitions. According to Islam worshiping Allah is the purpose of man’s creation. [1] However, Allah has stated in the Qur’an that He does not need anything and that everything needs Him.[2]
The need to something is a characteristic of all living things on earth. Every living thing needs various things throughout their lives. However, it is unproper to think that Allah is in need to something, since Allah existed before anything was created and will continue to exist even if everything comes to an end.[3]
According to Islam, it is a person who needs to worship Allah. Allah’s asking His servants to worship is like a doctor asking his patient to comply with the conditions of treatment. It is the patient who needs treatment, not the doctor. But it is the doctor who creates and directs the treatment for his patient. In this example, the patient does not know what his needs are, while the doctor asks him to apply the treatment because he knows.
User guide for items used in daily life gives information on how to use them and how to protect that product against hazards. The Quran is a user manual just like in this example. Because the Creator of man knows his needs best.[4] With the worships mentioned in the Quran, the formula for man’s vital needs, spiritual illnesses and the care of his soul are stated.
In Islam, worship is done in a certain order. Having certain times of worship such as prayer, fasting and pilgrimage provides a system that puts people’s life in order. Worship is for people who are in the rush of the world during the day. It reminds them of their fundamental duties such as Allah, the Hereafter, and the purpose of coming into the world. At the same time with a worship like fasting, for example, a person remembers that he has a Lord at every moment of the day, that he is not alone, unclaimed, and not strayed. Through prayer, he remembers that he is in the presence of the highest and that he is incapable of anything without Him and that his greatest supporter is his Lord (Allah).
Worship is also a divine language of communication between the servant and Allah.[5] And therefore, abandoning worship means breaking one’s communication with Allah . Muslims believe that they are grateful for the blessings given by worshiping and that Allah is the most protective to take sanctuary. Thus, they feel safe.[6]
According to Islam, Spiritual satisfaction and inner peace depend on the strengthening of one’s bond with his creator. It is stated in the verse, ” those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”[7] attention was drawn to the connection between worship, prayer and remembrance of Allah and attaining inner peace.
Worship despite the spiritual need of man, it is not held involuntarily like breathing and sleeping. From time to time, Allah guides His servants to worship by giving tests such as illness or poverty. However, the person who has the will decides for himself how he will respond to these situations.
Bediuzzaman, an Islamic scholar, explains that some people see worship as difficult with the following example [8]; There are two people who are ordered to go to a far city. One of them takes firm steps forward, armed and does not feel vulnerable during his journey. Despite his seemingly heavy load, he arrives at his destination confidently and receives his reward there. The unarmed person, on the other hand, has a fearful journey and reaches his destination in an insecure and timid way, even though it seems light as a burden. As a result, he is punished by being treated as a rebel. Although worship may seem like a burden in the world, it is a preparation for the life of eternity.
Imam Ghazali, another Islamic scholar, relates the following incident regarding the issue: “The Prophet Muhammed (Peace and blessing be upon him) once asked Abu Dhar: ‘If you want to go on a journey, will you prepare for it?’ Abu Dhar replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (PBUH) continued: ‘Well, what will the journey be like on the Day of Judgment? Listen to me; “Shall I tell you what will be of use to you that day?” he asked again. Abu Dhar said with great excitement: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah! May my mother and father be sacrificed for your way!” he replied. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said: ‘The day of resurrection is a very hot day. Fasting in advance to be refreshed that day! For the loneliness of the grave, pray two rak’as (tahajud) at night. Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) once for the great day of the Resurrection and give a needy charity. Either say a word to the right or prevent your tongue from saying a bad word!” [9]
In the Quran, it is stated in the following verse that the whole universe glorifies Allah. “The seven heavens, the earth, and all those in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not glorify His praises—but you ˹simply˺ cannot comprehend their glorification. He is indeed Most Forbearing, All-Forgiving.”[10] Accordingly, the fact that man also fulfills his duty of worship shows that he is in fact conscious of servitude, and that he is in brotherhood and cooperation with all the creatures in the universe.
[1] Adh-Dhariyat,56
[2] Al-Ikhlas, 2
[3] Al-Hadid, 3
[4] Al-Mulk, 14
[5] Al-Fatihah, 5
[6] Al-Baqarah,21-22
[7] Ar-Ra’d, 28
[8] Bediuzzaman, Said Nursi/ 3rd Word
[9] Ibn Abi Al-Dunya, kitab at-tahajjud wa qiyam al-layl; Al-Ghazali, The Revival of the Religious Sciences (İhyâ’u Ulmû’id-Din)
[10] Al-Isra,44