THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yawm Arba'a. 11th day of Sha’abaan, 1445AH (Wednesday, 21st February 2024). THE CORRECT AND COMPREHENSIVE MEANING OF ISLAAM continues. BismilLah. 

The concept of worship in Islaam is misunderstood by many people, including some Muslims. Worship is commonly taken to mean performing ritualistic acts such as prayers, fasting, charity, etc. This limited understanding of worship is only one part of the meaning of worship in Islaam. That is why the traditional definition of worship in Islaam is a comprehensive definition that includes almost everything in any individual's activities. The definition goes something like this:

"Worship is an all-inclusive term for all that ALLAH loves of external and internal sayings and actions of a person."

In other words, worship is everything one says or does for the pleasure of ALLAH. This, of course, includes rituals as well as beliefs, social activities, and personal contributions to the welfare of one's fellow human beings.

Islaam looks at the individual as a whole. He is required to submit himself completely to ALLAH, as the Quran instructed the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi to do and instruct us to do as follows:

"Say (O Muhammad) my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death belong to ALLAH; HE has no partner, and I am ordered to be among those who submit, i.e.; Muslims." (6:162-163). Meaning this command is for whoever claims to be Muslim. 

The natural result of this submission is that all one's activities should conform to the instructions of the one to whom the person is submitting. Islaam, being a way of life, requires that its followers model their life according to its teachings in every aspect, religious or otherwise. To be continued in shaa ALLAH. JazaakumulLaahu Khairan for all those who made dua for my dad yesterday. He is responding to treatment. May ALLAH have mercy on him and  all the sick people and grant all good recovery and good health. Aameen.