Friday 18 November 2016

ایاک نعبد و ایاک نستعین
to You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek help (Surah Al-Fatihah:4)

In this verse (from You alone we seek help) the purpose for which help is being sought is not mentioned. According to most of the commentators of the Quran it implies that we seek Allah's help for all our prayers, and with all our religious and worldly needs.

Also, Ibadat is not restricted to just prescribed prayers or fasting. Imam Al-Ghazzali RE in his book Arba'in has listed ten different forms of Ibadat. 

1. Namaz (Salah)
2. Zakat
3. Fasting
4. Hajj
5. Reciting the Holy Quran
6. Remembrance (Zikr) of Allah in all situations
7. Earning one's livelihood in accordance with the regulations of the Shariah
8. Fulfilling one's obligations towards one's companions and neighbours
9. Persuading people to act righteously and dissuading them from what is forbidden
10. Following the Sunnah of Rasool Allah ﷺ

Therefore, not associating anyone with Allah in worship means that one should not love, or fear, or depend on, anyone else as one loves or fears or depends on Allah Ta'alah. One should not place one's trust in anyone else as one trusts Allah Ta'alah. One should not consider obedience or submission or service to another as obligatory as the worship of Allah, nor should one take a vow in anyone else's name as one does in Allah's name. One should not show complete self-abasement and total humility before anyone as one is required to do before Allah, nor should one engage in those acts of worship and total submission that one does only in front of Allah Ta'alah like Ruku (bowing)and Sijdah (prostration) in Salah.

Abstract fro Ma'ariful Quran, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE

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