What is the Actuality of Ibadah?

What is Ibadah? Apparently performance of some physical acts in a ritual manner is deemed to be Ibadah, because in sense of religiosity this term stands for some ritualistic movements and practices. Idolatry, Zoolatry, Heliolatry, Zoroastrianism and Astrolatry, all have been, in different ages, the ignorant rites of worshiping the idols, animals, sun, fire and stars. In worship in this sense actual importance goes to the ceremonial rites and not to the spirit and perception.


Long ago I was in a Hindu barber shop in Dubai to get my hair cut. While going to the shop I was not aware of his religion. I saw him turning to a corner of the shop and hurriedly making some gestures with his hands joined together. After a deliberate gaze I found a small deity put on a little dais in the corner. This type of worship was really a surprising thing for me, because other than a quick motion not a little heed and wariness could be felt going to the deity.

Very recently I had to visit a modern Hindu family. The head of the family, keeping the Bhagavad Geeta, a scripture believed sacred thing by the Hindus, in his hand and turning its pages admitted the family was not so heavily religious. Still they seemed to have a religious program at their residence, because on the dining table a baby stool, covered with a clean folded and scented towel was seen as a symbol of some particular function. Due to a bit loose religiosity they had not any beautiful metal, clay or plastic deity at home, so two internet prints of Ram facing each other were set up on the stool. Some precious ‘offerings’ were lying in a shining plate at the foot of the picture. It was for pleasing Ram and getting his blessings.

There are many Christians who have hardly ever gone to church to hear the sermon and have seldom touched the pages of the Bible but they do have a costly golden Cross hanging around their neck as a sign of their Christianity. Same is the case of Sikh young generation nowadays. They have abandoned ‘kaise’ and ‘kirpan’ but ‘kara’ is still a remnant of Sikh traditions.

And here in our Muslim Ummah! Ultra modern ladies and gents, mostly from show biz, upper rich class and religiously chagrined political elite, deeply immersed in fun and amusement and completely heedless of any allegiance to the moral and religious values, are regular in holding the ‘Mahafil-e-Meelad’ on or around 12th of Rabi’-ul-Awal’ to commemorate the birthday of our Holy Prophet, SAW, and mournful functions on 10th of Muharram in the memory of ‘Shuhda-e-Karbala’ at their homes. By this they are satisfied they have pleased the Messenger of Allah, be peace and blessing upon him and his grandson, Hussain ibn Ali (R A), may Allah be pleased with both of them. In their ignorant presumption ceremonial and customary celebrations are ‘Ibadah’.

More amazingly it is observed in many Muslim families when there is a live cricket match or any movie or drama of their taste on air, not the youngsters only but the elders also get stuck to the TV screen for hours. The prayers are either totally out of mind or performed in a way as if it was nuisance, necessary to be free of it as quickly as possible. Utterance of the words is obviously not meshing with the actions. Such a way of Ibadah is in no way in compliance of the requirements of Islam. The Muslims seem equal to the above mentioned Hindus and Christians in lack of spirit of their faith.

In Islam the acts of Ibadah and obedience to the commandments of Allah, SWT are inseparable and not discrete things. Ibadah is defined to be complete submission and subservience to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Ibadah does not mean five times prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadhan, paying alms and performing Hajj only. It encompasses all the aspects of practical life. Working hard for seeking one’s lawful livelihoods, proper dealing and pleasant relations with the kin, neighbors and colleagues is Ibadah. The moral traits of showing to be just, truthful, trustworthy, honest, kind, helpful and sincere are no doubt the important parts of Ibadah. At the work place being dutiful and at home responsible is the part of Ibadah. In short, every virtuous act done to please Allah, SWT, is Ibadah.

In Lisan-ul-Arab, an encyclopedic work of Ibn Manzor, we find one meaning of Ibadah ‘Khudhu’ (submission), tazallul (humbleness, abasement).

Verse 5 of Surah Al-Fatihah, which is an invocation, taught direct by Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, a compulsory thing to be recited and repeated in our five times obligatory or the supererogatory prayers, is very significant part, the Messenger of Allah, be peace and blessings upon him, is reported to have told that half of it is for the Lord and the remaining half for His servant.

“You (Alone) we worship and You (Alone) we ask for help.” (Al-Fatihah: 5)

Imam Ibn Qayyum, in ‘Madarij-us-Salekin’ one of his masterpiece works, writes that love and showing humbleness to the loved one are indivisible things. Claim of love for your Lord, Allah, SWT, without subservience and humbleness is mere a deceptiveness and the claim of submission and humbleness without love is also a duplicity and lie. In both cases one cannot be counted a loyal and true servant (Abid).

Same is the touchstone in the matter of having claim love for Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, be peace and blessings upon him. His Sunnah and teachings are the criterions to judge this claim. Singing, dancing, jumping, laughing or sometime weeping and going out of senses in drills of showing love for the Holy Prophets, SAW, is extremely a ridiculous thing invented in the religion by some Sufi sects. The practices introduced in religious body having neither any authentication and affirmation from the Prophet, himself nor from his Sahabah (companions) are ‘Bidaat’ and as the Holy Prophet, SAW, has said every ‘Bida’ is ignorance and every ignorance leads to the Hellfire.

Repeatedly reciting Surah Al-Fatehah in our prayers actually means that after bowing to Allah, SWT, prostrating ourselves in His Presence, and refreshing our conscience and memories we are Your servants, when we will go out of the boundary of our worship place, our acts, mutual agreements and covenants, our dealings, and all our worldly matters will be in accordance with Your Commandments and teachings of Your blessed Prophet.

The following verse of the Quran, “And I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Adh-Dhariyat: 56) means that jinn and mankind got existence only to live in concordance with the Will and unconditional submission to Allah, the Most Exalted.

In the human history we find no group or community with their faith to worship Satan. Then why there is an intense admonition against getting involved in worship Taghut or Satan. Actually they snatch man out of the Will and Obedience of Allah and bring him under their control. The Quran makes it clear that obeying Taghut or Satan is in fact worshiping them. So there is a warning to abstain from worshiping them.

“And We certainly sent into every a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah and avoid (worshiping) Taghut…” (An-Nahl: 36)

“And did I not enjoin upon you, O children of Adam, that you should not worship Satan, for he is to you a clear enemy. And that you worship (only) me? This is a straight path.” (Yasin: 60, 61)

These and dozens of other verses are there indicating the precepts of Ibadah laid down in the Quran. Taghut, is not only Iblees, but tyrant rulers, political, religious and spiritual leaders and guides who concoct false ways, customs and practices against the true teachings of the Divine Scriptures and the traits set by the Messengers of Allah. Following them in their contrived fashions is in fact identical to worshiping them.

The verse No: 31 of Surah At-Taubah says:
“They have taken their religious scholars and monks their lords besides Allah….” Very close to the revelation of this verse was the time Adiyy ibn Hatim had embraced Islam. In inquiring about the teachings of Islam, he asked the Holy Prophet, be peace and blessings upon him, “What is the actuality of making our rabbis and monks our lords, while we do not worship them?” The Holy Prophet, SAW, said: “Is it not fact that you (the Christians and Jews) obey them in things that they make lawful what is actually unlawful and they make unlawful that is actually lawful in the Divine Decrees?” “Yes, it is true.” He replied. The Messenger of Allah, be peace and blessings upon him, said: “It is making them your lords (worshiping them).”

Assertion of lawfulness and unlawfulness (Haraam and Halaal) of the things and acts and practices is right of Allah only and it has been decided and taught by the Holy Prophet, SAW. If someone else (ruler, politician, religious leader, spiritual guide (Pir) stands to claim his authority to make changes in what is lawful and what is unlawful or invents some or many things on his own authority to be Halaal or Haraam, it is equal to making claim of his position of being worshiped.