SERVICE IS ALSO WORSHIP

1:8:49

2023-07-11

499

The Holy Qur'an considers worship to be the sole purpose of life. (Al-Zariyath 56)

Worship is offered to gain nearness and acceptance of Allah. Worship is physical as well as material. Physical worship consists of verbal utterances and bodily movements. But this routisation is less in worship through spending one's wealth. For this realisation it is necessary that service is trendered with a sense of worship. At the time of helping a person, the idea of attaining nearness to Allah through it should be there. Man can thus feel the ecstasy of worship even in acts of material welfare. In Islam, service to man is not a mundane act but it is real worship. To understand this reality we have to look at the entire system of worship.

Prayer is a physical form of worship and Zakath is its material form. Prayer is a declaration of the Exalted Highness of Allah on the part of man and it is also a declaration of his servitude. Zakath is a manifestation of the milk of human kindness in man and shows that he is all ready to spend his wealth for others. The Qur'an has generally mentioned prayer and charity together and emphasised both Salath and Zakat. Both carry equal emphasis. It views material worship to be as significant as the physical worship. The religion which it demands does not comprise solely the bowing of man with devotion in the court of Allah, but it also demands that man should grant the share of his creatures the wealth earned by him and spend it on the needy.

And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practise regular charity; and that this is the religion right and straight. (Al-Bayyinat : 5)

ln this Ayath, it has been commanded to worship with purity and single - mindedness, and then worship has been explained in the form of prayer and Zakath. It highlights the truth that only in adhering to these the offer of worship will be complete. Worship could not be conceived without the attendant virtues. In some other passages the word "Goodness'' has been jointly used with prayer. The word "goodness" is a comprehensive term, it is mentioned: O ye who believe: Bow down prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do good; that you may prosper. [Al - Hajj : 77]

In the Qur'an worship has been mentioned after prayer, Zakath, and all acts of goodness to such a way that all these constitute worship. At one place, after the mention of the Prophet Abraham and certain Prophets of his family it is said.

And we made them leaders, guiding (men) by our Command, and we sent them inspiration to do good deeds to establish regular prayers, and to practice regular charity, and they constantly served Us (and Us only) [Al-Anbiya : 73]

What greater significance could be attached to service to humanity than this that every act of service is counted as worship of Allah.