One of the foundational teachings of\nall prophets has been to worship Allah (SWT), to the extent that none of their\nteachings were void of an act of worship. \nHowever, people\u2019s perception of worship are not necessarily the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some view it as a kind of transaction,\ncompensation, and exchange of work with reward. This view of worship is similar\nto the case of a worker who puts his efforts and energy into a work day, only\nto expect his wage from his employer at the end of the day. Believers who worship Allah (SWT) with this\nview see the results of worship mainly in its reward, namely the goods and\ncompensation they will receive in the hereafter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other understanding of worship is\nthe spiritual view. In this view towards worship is the ladder towards proximity\nto the Creator. Worship becomes an ascent of the soul, elevation of the spirit\ntowards the invisible center of the universe. Worship is a nurture of spiritual\ntalents, spirit\u2019s victory over the body, the best way to praise the creator of\nthe universe (expression of one\u2019s amusement and love towards absolute\nperfection and beauty), and finally a way to move closer towards Allah (SWT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditions and worships of the\nCommander of the Faithful, Amir al-Mu\u2019minin (PBUH) proves his take on the\nspiritual view of worship, which is a major source for worship and supplication\nin Islam after the Holy Quran and the Great Prophet\u2019s traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will present a glimpse of his\nteachings about the meaning of worship by a few examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Commander of the Faithful\ndescribes and categorizes worship in a short narration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are\npeople who worship Allah to gain His Favors, this is the worship of traders;\nwhile there are some who worship Him to keep themselves free from His Wrath,\nthis is the worship of slaves; a few who obey Him out of their sense of\ngratitude and obligations, this is the worship of free and noble men.\u201d(1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, one can find the\nultimate of \u201cpurity in worship\u201d in Imam Ali\u2019s (PBUH) words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cO My Lord, I\nhave not worshiped You for the fear of punishment or for the desire towards\nheaven; rather, I worshiped You because I found You worthy of being\nworshipped.\u201d(2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How wonderful it is for\none to worship his Lord through the teachings of Amir al-Mu\u2019minin (PBUH); so\nthat he can sit humbly to worship the Single Creator of the whole universe and\nwhisper:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cO My Lord! This\nhonor is enough for me to be Your servant and such pride is enough for me that\nYou are my Lord. You are such that I like; so assist me in doing what You\ndesire.\u201d(3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Selected from\ncontemplation Through Nahj al-Balaghah, by Murtadha Mutahhari)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roshd website, congratulates all\nMuslims on the 13th of Rajab, the birth anniversary of the true monotheist\nworshiper, representative of Allah (SWT), and leader of the pious and\nrighteous: Amir al-Mu\u2019minin, Imam Ali (PBUH). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Footnotes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1-Peak of\nEloquence, Words of Wisdom #237<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2-Bihar\nal-Anwaar, vol. 41, pg. 14; \u2018Awali al-Aali, vol. 1, pg. 404<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3-Kanz al-Fuaad,\nvol. 1, pg. 386; Majmoe Waraam, vol. 2, pg. 111<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of the foundational teachings of all prophets has been to worship Allah (SWT), to the extent that none of their teachings were void of an act of worship. However, people\u2019s perception of worship are not necessarily the same. Some view it as a kind of transaction, compensation, and exchange of work with reward. This […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28248],"tags":[63205],"class_list":["post-3996","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-occasional-letters","tag-worshipping-allah-swt"],"yoast_head":"\n