WORSHIP IN ISLAM Who do Muslims worship What

WORSHIP IN ISLAM * Who do Muslims worship? * What is the form and the essence of worship? * Do Muslims go to heaven due to their worship? 1

Worship in Islam l Creation and Worship l What kind of God do Muslims worship? l Does God need our worship? l What is worship? What is its form and essence? l Can man change the rituals of worship? l What benefits do we get from worship? l 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

The Purpose of Creation; A parable 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

The Purpose of Creation; A parable Messengers are like servants of this king to tell the people the meanings of the designs of the palace… 5

The Purpose of Creation; A parable The holy books are like the brochures of the palace explaining to the guests the meanings of the designs of the palace… 6

Main duties of mankind l To believe in this king as the Creator and acknowledge His messengers and books… l To appreciate His invitation, His beautiful bounties, the guidance of His messengers and His books through worship 7

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

Forms of worship l Prescribed ritual worship ¡ Prayers (daily, congregational…) ¡ Fasting ¡ Pilgrimage ¡ Almsgiving 9

Can man change the rituals of worship? l “Pray as you saw me pray. ” (Hadith) l “Take the rituals of the pilgrimage from me. ” (Hadith) l “Every innovation in religion is misguidance and every misguidance leads to hellfire. ” (Hadith) l “Whatever is innovated in our religion which has not been done 10

Forms of worship l Non-ritual types ¡ Supplication and Thanksgiving to God ¡ Reflection ¡ Patience in the face of hardship ¡ Seeking knowledge or sustenance, ¡ Service to humanity ¡ Recitation of the Qur’an ¡ Love of People ¡ Family relationship ¡… 11

Essence of worship l Intention l Consciousness l Sincerity l Humbleness l Poverty l Hope l Fear 12

WORSHIP WITHOUT ITS ESSENCE IS LIKE A FLAT SODA 13

Quiz What kind of God do Muslims worship? a. b. c. Allah which is different from what Christians and Jews worship Same God as Christians and Jews Muslim worship both Allah and Muhammad 14

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 15

Correspondence between the Qur’an and the Bible l “. . 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) l “There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. ” (Deuteronomy 4: 28) 16

Correspondence between the Qur’an and the Bible l “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 l “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 17

Does God need our worship? l “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. ” l “…the treasures of the heavens and the earth belong to God. . ” 63/7 l The beautiful bounties in the universe drives one to worship the owner of these 18

What benefits do we get from worship? l Worshipping God strengthens our faith. [Live as you believe] l Worship organizes the life of the person and puts it into an order. By doing so, our life merges with the orderly life of the universe. l A worshipping believer establishes a spiritual bound with the other believers which results a universal brotherhood. l Worship elevates our soul, enriches our 19

Do Muslims go to heaven due to their worship? l One can think of only two options to enter paradise: ¡ Trough God’s Justice To be proportional to the amount of our worship l To deserve an infinite life in paradise requires constant worship l This cannot be possible in human’s life l ¡ Trough God’s Mercy To obey God’s commands and worship Him as best as one can 20 l God to cover any shortcomings by His Mercy l

Final word “By (the Token of) time (through the Ages); Verily Man is in loss except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. ” (The Qur’an, 103/1 -3) 21

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