Ibadah: The fundamental practices of worship

IN the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Ibaadatulah is an Arabic term meaning worship or servitude in Islam. It encompasses various aspects of religious rituals and practices, including obligatory act (fard) and recommended acts (mustahabb). The five essential ibadat considered fundamental to the Muslim faith include declaration of faith (ash-shahadah), the five daily obligatory prayers (salat), fasting in the holy month of Ramadan (as-saum), giving charity (zakat) and hajj pilgrimage to the holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

Aside from the basic concepts of ibaadatulah, there are also other rituals and practices. Purification and ablution (ghusl and wudu) before embarking on prayers are important and sacrosanct. Regular recitation of the Qur’an and Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) is another form of act of ibaadatulah. Supplication to Allah (SWT) through du’a and invocations is another act of ibaadatulah for the Muslims to seek Allah’s benevolence and interventions in all affairs in the present world and the hereafter. Muslims are also encouraged to observe other voluntary modes of fasts which run through the Hijrah lunar year in order to instill in them steadfastness and piety. Almsgiving to those in need is known as sadaqah. A part of these categories of acts of Ibaadah is a visit to Makkah for the performance of tawaf round the Ka’bah. This form of the pilgrimage is umrah (lesser hajj).

Islam is beautiful. The concept of ibaadatulah has been given broader definitions by scholars. Muslims are obliged to keep their speech and conversation free from filth, falsehood, malice abuse and dishonesty. Muslims are to follow the Islamic law and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) in affairs that relate to commerce and economy. Muslims must maintain very good relationships with family, relatives, friends and other members of the community and the society at large.

Ibaadatulah remains a central subject in fiqh, the Islamic jurisprudence, as it provides the framework for Muslims to perform their religious duties. Academic explanation of the concept of ibaadatullah helps Muslims to understand their obligations and responsibilities towards Allah (SWT). Acts of ibadah are categorised into four basic types: mandatory worship, voluntary worship, physical worship and spiritual worship. The physical worship (jismani) involves physical actions of the body such as fasting and pilgrimage. The spiritual worship (ruhani) entails inner devotion such as love, fear of Allah (SWT), the Creator, the Sustainer. Muslims must have affirmed in their words and actions the tawheed (declaring Allah’s oneness). Taqwa that entrenches the fear and obedience of Allah, the Almighty must be high in the individual Muslim. The level of mahabbah, which is the love the Muslims have for Allah and His Messenger (SAW), is another attribute of ibaadatulah. Hoping for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness also makes ibaadatulah grow in the Muslim. This is the attribute of raja. The fifth of the pillars of ibaadatulah is for the Muslim to always submit self for tawba, the act of constantly seeking the forgiveness of Allah for sins that might have been committed either knowingly or unknowingly.

In the Noble Qur’an, specific commandments are instructive in evaluating the importance of ibaadatulah. Allah (SWT) is very clear in Surah Al-Baqarah, Qur’an 2:21: “O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).” Early in the same surah and specifically in the second ayat  (verse of the Revelations) Allah makes the terms very instructive , “This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Mutaaqun (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism who fear Allah much, abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden, and love Allah much, perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained).”

Allah (SWT) makes His expectations of Muslims crystal clear further in Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Qur’an 51:56: “And (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” Prophet Muhammad (SAW) enjoined Muslims to “worship Allah as if you see Him.” (Sahih Bukhari). The Prophet is also reported saying that “the best worship is to obey Allah and His Messenger.” (Sahih Muslim).

Ibaadatulah, when deeply seated in the Muslims, always positions them for a good number of benefits. It is all about strengthening their faith and connecting the pious Muslims with Allah (SWT). Ibaadatulah allows the Muslims to find inner peace, calm and tranquility eternally. Muslims with ibaadatulah easily earn themselves Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness and mercy. They are also supposed to benefit from Allah’s protection from harm and evil. And ultimately, ibaadatulah positions Muslims towards achieving success in this life and the Hereafter.

Muslims must be guarded in order not to fall into acts which run contrary to ibaadatulah, as there are certain challenges that may undermine the Muslims. We must guard against doubt and disbelief. This negative attitude usually creeps in through unconscious questioning of Allah’s (SWT) existence and His attributes. Another negative behaviour is brought to bear in Muslims who are lazy in their attitude, neglecting, ignoring or postponing worship. Muslims who fall prey the most are distracted with worldly affairs. The gains of ibaadatulah can elude Muslims through unauthorised innovations and practices known as bid’ah. Bid’ah may also lead to religious extremism, culminating in excessive and misguided worship, all of which are anathema to ibaadatulah.

Ibaadatulah remains relevant in all ages in the past, present and the future. Ibaadah continues to serve as a spiritual reviver; it keeps our faith and spiritual practices up to date. We are kept morally guided forever by following Allah’s (SWT) commandments. We are positioned towards personal development through self-awareness and self-improvement. With unwavering ibadah towards Allah (SWT), unity and cooperation are fostered for the promotion of global peace and understanding.

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