What is the Islamic concept of worship?
The regular performance of acts of worship, such as salah (formal worship) and sawm (fasting), is essential for acknowledging God’s authority in one’s life and for spiritual growth. While these acts involve specific practices and statements, Islam does not teach blind, ritualistic imitation. Muslims believe that God does not want from His servants absent-minded movement of the tongue and body-rather, He wants attention of the heart and sincere actions. Consequently, the neeyah, or intention that one has before fulfilling a particular obligation, counts a great deal. Indeed, a hadith states that “Actions are judged according to their intentions.” Interestingly, the Arabic word ibadah means “worship” as well as “service.” Thus, to worship God means not only to love and exalt Him but also to serve Him by living in accord with His guidance in every aspect of life, to enjoin goodness among people and forbid wrong-doing and oppression, to practice charity and justice, and to serve Him by ser
The regular performance of acts of worship, such as salah (formal worship) and sawm (fasting), is essential for acknowledging God’s authority in one’s life and for spiritual growth. While these acts involve specific practices and statements, Islam does not teach blind ritualistic imitation. Muslims believe that God does not want from His servants’ absent-minded movement of the tongue and body, rather HE wants attention of the heart and sincere actions. Consequently, the neeyah, or intention that one has before fulfilling a particular obligation, counts a great deal. Indeed, a hadith states “Actions are judged according to intentions”. Interestingly the Arabic word ibadah means, “Worship” as well as “service”. Thus to worship God means not only to love and exalt Him but also to serve him by living in accord with His guidance in every aspect of life, to enjoin goodness among people and forbid wrong doing and oppression, to practice charity and justice, and to serve Him by serving humanit
