Worship in Islam 1 Outline Creation and Worship

Worship in Islam 1

Outline • • Creation and Worship What kind of God do Muslims worship? Does God need our worship? What is worship? Can man change the rituals of worship? What benefits do we get from worship? Do Muslims go to heaven due to their worship? 2

The Purpose of Creation; A parable • The universe is like a palace built up by a king with beautiful designs, artful calligraphies, and fine jewelries… 3

People on this earth are like the guests of this king who invited them to his palace to present them his beautiful designs and arts… 4

Messengers are like servants of this king to bring people life and tell them the meanings of the designs and the calligraphies… 5

Holy Books The holy books are like the brochures of the palace explaining to the guests the meanings of the designs of the palace… 6

Man’s duty • To believe in this King and appreciate His bounties through worship 7

What is worship? Worship is the every legitimate act a believer makes in the state of obedience 8

Prescribed forms of worship - • • PRAYERS Daily prayers Friday prayer Festival prayers twice a year Funeral prayer 9

Fasting • One month in a year (Ramadan) • From sunset to sundown • No food, drink, and sexual relationship • Understanding the needy people 10

Pilgrimage • Once in a lifetime • The first house of worship • All people are equal • Following Prophet Abraham • Forgiveness 11

Almsgiving • Once a year • % 2, 5 of your wealth • Earning to giving • Unity in the society • Respecting human dignity 12

Non-ritual worship – Supplication and Thanksgiving – Reflection – Patience in the face of hardship – Seeking knowledge or sustenance, – Service to humanity – Recitation of the Qur’an – Love of People – Family relationship 13

Can man change the rituals of worship? • “Pray as you saw me pray. ” (Hadith) • “Take the rituals of the pilgrimage from me. ” (Hadith) • “Every innovation in religion is misguidance and every misguidance leads to hellfire. ” (Hadith) • “Whatever is innovated in our religion which has not been done before is rejected. ” (Hadith 14

Essence of worship • • Intention Consciousness Sincerity Humbleness Poverty Hope Fear 15

Quiz What kind of God do Muslims worship? a. Allah which is different from what Christians and Jews worship b. Same God as Christians and Jews c. Muslim worship both Allah and Muhammad 16

Answers a. “Allah! there is no god but He, the living, the self subsisting, eternal. No slumber can seize him nor heavens and on earth…” 2/255 b. "What will ye worship after me? " They said: "We shall worship thy God and the God of thy fathers, - of Abraham, Isma`il, and Isaac. The One (True) God: to Him we bow (in Islam). “ 2/133 c. “Say (O Muhammad) I worship Allah alone, sincerely and with full devotion. ” 39/14 17

The Qur’an The Bible • “. . when Abraham spoke [thus] unto his father: "O my father! Why do you worship something that neither hears nor sees and can be of no avail whatever to you? ” (19/42) • “There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. ” (Deuteronomy 4: 28) 18

The Qur’an The Bible • “SAY [O Muhammad]: "O mankind! If you are in doubt as to what my faith is, then [know that] I do not worship those beings whom you worship beside God, but [that] I worship God alone. . ” 10/104 • “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and … says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them, " you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. . ” Deuteronomy 13: 1 -3 19

Does God need our worship? • “Say: "He, God, the Unique One of Absolute Unity. God, the Eternally-Besought -of-All (Himself in no need of anything). He begets not, nor is He begotten. And comparable to Him there is none. ” • “…the treasures of the heavens and the earth belong to God. . ” 63/7 • The example of Zayd b. Amr 20

What benefits do we get from worship? • • Worshipping God strengthens our faith. Worship puts our life into an order. Establishes a universal brotherhood. Worship provides inner peace, elevates our soul, enriches our abilities, cleans our tendencies, enlightens our thoughts, and enables us to reach our passions. 21

Do Muslims go to heaven due to their worship? Two options: 1. Justice 2. Mercy 22

Justice • To be proportional to the amount of our worship • To deserve an infinite life in paradise requires constant worship • This cannot be possible in human’s life 23

Mercy • To obey God’s commands and worship Him as best as one can • God to cover any shortcomings by His Mercy • And accept us in paradise 24