about about

worship about
islam
prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him)
We have established that Islam teaches that only God alone
deserves worship. So what is worship?
Muslim scholars have defined “worship” as, “An all-inclusive
Muslims believe that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is
term for those internal and external sayings and actions of a
the final Prophet in a long chain of Prophets sent to call the
person that are pleasing to Allah.”
people to the obedience and worship of God alone. Some
of these Prophets include Adam, Noah, Joseph, Jacob, In other words, the concept of worship in Islam is not limited to
Abraham, David, Jesus and Moses (peace be upon them all). rituals such as praying, fasting, giving charity, and performing
pilgrimage - it is much more.
Muslims do not worship or ask divine guidance of Muhammad
(peace be upon him). He warned: A person can turn everyday
activities into acts of worship by
“Do not exceed bounds in praising me as the Christians do purifying his or her intention “Greeting a person is
in praising Jesus, Son of Mary. I am only the Lord’s servant; and sincerely seeking charity. Acting justly is charity.
Allah’s pleasure through Helping a man with his horse is
then call me the Servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
these activities. Allah’s
Just as Muslims believe that Moses (peace be
upon him) was sent with the Torah2 and
that Jesus (peace be upon him) was sent
“Allah will
Messenger (may the
peace and blessings of
charity. A good word is charity. Every
step taken on the way to performing a brief
prayers is charity. Removing an
introduction
not show mercy to Allah be upon him) said:
with the Gospel3, Muslims also believe obstacle from the road is
him who does not Even earning a living can
that Muhammad (peace be upon him)
show mercy to be done for the sake of God charity.”
was sent with The Qur’an to demonstrate
others.” if done for the right reasons (e.g.
how its teachings should be applied.
working to support a family). If however one works to show off
Some sayings of the Prophet (peace be or earn fame then this can not be considered worship.
upon him) include: “Look The above might sound strange to those who view religion
at the person who is only as a personal relation between the individual and God and
“The strong is not below you; and do not look as having no impact on those activities that are not connected
the one who overcomes at one who is superior to you. specifically with any religious rituals. For Muslims however,
Thereby you would be able to Islam is not just a religion, but a complete way of life.
the people by his strength
but the strong is the one better appreciate the favours
who controls himself that God has bestowed 1 Any Quranic translation, either in English or any other language, is

while in anger.” upon you.” neither a Qur’an, nor a version of the Qur’an, but rather it is only a
translation of the meaning of the Qur’an. The Qur’an exists only in the
“Among the Arabic in which it was revealed.
best of you are they 2,3 Only the Qur’an has remained unchanged and preserved, while the
“Do not consider
“Be humble who have the best other original revelations have been lost or corrupted.
even the smallest good
and do not harm character.”
or consider yourself
superior to
deed as insignificant; even
meeting your brother with
“Allah has promised those who believe and do good deeds that
for them there is forgiveness and a mighty reward.” Qur’an 5:9 learn
the
others.” a cheerful face.”
For further information please visit:
www.iisna.com/pamphlets or (+961) 3 9354-7500 basics www.iisna.com/pamphlets
 about
islam
To truly ponder the majesty of Allah makes one humble.
The Praiseworthy:
This is what Allah calls us to do - to know Him through His
N
 o being or object is worthy to be worshipped except Allah attributes and names, realize His Omnipotence and Majesty,
Any worship and prayers directed towards (or through) call upon Him, and humble ourselves to Him. Allah’s beautiful
saints, prophets, other human beings or nature is names and attributes also include:
Belief and Worship of The One True God is the cornerstone considered idolatry The Creator and Sustainer
of a Muslim’s belief. T he Forgiver and Pardoner
Allah hears all who praise Him The Appreciative
Many religions also claim belief in One God however, they E
 veryone has direct access to Allah T he All-Knower and All-Aware
associate partners with Him. The following are examples: T he One who answers the one in need if he asks Him
M
 uslims have a direct connection with Allah without the The One free and far removed from any deficiency
W
 orshipping or asking forgiveness of God through His
need for any intermediaries [such as idols, saints, angels, T
 he incomparably Great
creation
priests, planets, Jesus (peace be upon him), animals,
D
 elegating some of God’s attributes to other objects or
graves or statues]
beings
S
 etting up rivals with God by elevating something to be in The All-Just: about
the Qur’an
opposition to Him
A
 llah judges everyone based on their own deeds and
The above mentioned beliefs or actions all go against the very everyone is accountable for his/her own actions
principles of Islam. Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the literal word of God1.
H
 umans may distinguish themselves and earn Allah’s favor
Together with the authentic sayings of Prophet Muhammad
through virtue and piety only (not through race or wealth)
about (peace be upon him), it is the main source of Islamic

Allah
The Most High: knowledge. The following are some verses that confirm what
Allah is the personal name has been discussed:
of the One True God. A
 llah is over His creation separated from His creatures

Allah is high above being compared to anything

So set no
The name “Allah” is the combination of two Arabic words, “Al” Allah is He, equals to Allah while
and “ilah”. “Al” means “The”, and “ilah” means “God”. These other than Whom you know (there is none
two words come together and refer to “The God”, which
The All-Merciful: there is no other god. equal to him).
implies “The Only God”, or “The Only True God”. Allah is incomparably more merciful to His creation than a Qur’an 59:22 Qur’an 2:22
And worship
mother to her baby
Nothing else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or Allah and associate
N o one is “born into sin”
gender. This shows its uniqueness when compared with the none with Him.
Allah forgives all sins
word “god” which can be made plural (i.e. gods) or feminine Qur’an 4:36
(i.e. goddess).
There is
Muslims believe that Allah is: The All-Powerful: nothing like Him Say: ‘How do
A
 llah has no rivals and He hears and you worship besides Allah
The One: T
 he concept that Allah rested on the 7th day of creation sees all things. something which has no
has no basis in Islam Qur’an 42:11 power either to harm
A llah is one and has no partners at all
A llah has no equals or associates A
 llah has control over everything or benefit you?’
Your Lord
Islam rejects characterising Allah in any human form O
 bedience to Allah does not increase His Power, and Qur’an 5:76
says: “Call upon Me,
N one of His creation resembles Him disobedience to Allah does not decrease His Power in any
way I will answer you.”
T here is nothing comparable to Allah
No part of Allah is present in anyone Not a leaf falls without the permission of Allah Qur’an 40:60
(although his knowledge encompasses everything)