------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taken from: Islam Questions And Answers: Volume 1: Basic Tenets of Faith
(Belief) - Part 1
Download the book now from this site:
http://islammuslims.com/Downloads/Volume_1.exe
More info and Table of Contents at:
http://islammuslims.com/islam-qa/Volume_1_index.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
736: Who do Muslims worship?
Question:
Who do Islams worship?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Before answering, we would like to express our appreciation for your
interest, at such a young age, in the religion of Islam. May Allaah open
the
door for you to find much blessing through your asking this question, and
decree for you guidance such as you have never thought of. Allaah [the
Arabic name for the One True God _ Translator] says in the Qur'aan [the
Holy
Book of Islam] (interpretation of the meaning):
"This is the Guidance of Allaah with which He guides whomsoever He will of
His slaves." [al-An'aam 6:88]
"And whomsoever Allaah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam."
[al-An'aam 6:125]
With regard to this important question _ who do the Muslims worship? _ the
answer is to be found in the Holy Qur'aan, which is the Scripture of
Islam,
and in the words of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) who received Revelation from his Lord.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"In the name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All
praises
and thanks be to Allaah, the Lord of the `Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all
that exists), the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful, the Only Owner (and
the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e., the Day of
Resurrection). You (Alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help
(for
each and every thing)." [al-Faatihah 1:1-5]
"O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allaah), Who has created you and those
before
you so that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious)." [al-Baqarah 2:21]
"Such is Allaah, your Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He,
the
Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakeel
(Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things."[al-An'aam
6:102]
"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be
dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in
your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but
address them in terms of honour." [al-Isra' 17:23]
Muslim worship Allaah [the One True God] whom all the Prophets worshipped.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya'qoob [Jacob]? When he said
unto his sons, `What will you worship after me?' They said, `We shall
worship your God, the God of your fathers, Ibraaheem [Abraham], Ismaa'eel
[Ishmael] and Is-haaq [Isaac], One God, and to Him we submit (in Islam)."
[al-Baqarah 2:133]
The Muslims worship Allaah and call others who follow different religions
to
worship Allaah Alone, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say [O Muhammad]: `O People of the Scripture [Jews and Christians]: come
to
a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah,
and
we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others
as
lords besides Allaah.' Then, if they turn away, say, `Bear witness that we
are Muslims.'" [Aal `Imraan 3:64]
It is Allaah Alone Whom Nooh [Noah] (peace be upon him) called his people
to
worship, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Indeed, We sent Nooh [Noah] to his people and he said: `O my people!
Worship Allaah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you
the
torment of a Great Day!.'" [al-A'raaf 7:59]
It is Allaah Alone whom the Messiah [Jesus] (peace be upon him) called
people to worship, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Surely they have disbelieved who say: `Allaah is the Messiah [Jesus] son
of
Maryam [Mary].' But the Messiah said: `O Children of Israel! Worship
Allaah,
my Lord and your Lord.' Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with
Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be
his
abode. And for the zaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no
helpers." [al-Maa'idah 5:73]
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): `O
`Eesa
[Jesus], son of Maryam [Mary]! Did you say unto men: `Worship me and my
mother as two gods besides Allaah?' He will say: `Glory be to You! It was
not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing,
You
would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do
not know what is in Yours. You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that
is
hidden and unseen.
Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allaah) did command me to
say: "Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord." And I was a witness over
them
while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher
over them, and You are a Witness to all things.'"[al-Maa'idah 5:116-117]
When Allaah spoke to His Prophet Moosa [Moses] (peace be upon him), He
said
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, I am Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped but I, so
worship
Me, and perform al-Salaah [prayer] for My Remembrance." [Ta-Ha 20:14]
Allaah commanded His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon
him) as follows (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say [O Muhammad]: `O mankind! If you are in doubt as to my religion
(Islam), then (know that) I will never worship those whom you worship,
besides Allaah. But I worship Allaah Who causes you to die, I am commanded
to be one of the believers." [Yoonus 10:104]
It is Him Alone, with no partner or associate, Whom the angels worship and
do not worship anyone or anything besides Him, as He says (interpretation
of
the meaning):
"To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who
are
near Him (i.e., the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they
weary (of His worship)."[al-Anbiya' 21:19]
Everything that is worshipped instead of Allaah can neither bring benefit
nor cause harm, it can neither create nor provide. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad, to mankind); `How do you worship besides Allaah
something
which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is Allaah Who
is
the All-Hearer, All-Knower.'" [al-Maa'idah 5:76]
"You worship besides Allaah only idols, and you only invent falsehood.
Verily, those whom you worship besides Allaah have no power to give you
provision, so seek your provision from Allaah (Alone), and worship Him
(Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back."
[al-`Ankaboot 29:17]
Having explained this, we must complete the topic by asking: why should we
worship Allaah Alone with no partner or associate? The answer is as
follows:
Firstly: because there is nothing and nobody else in the universe that
deserves to be worshipped, for Allaah is the Creator and Sustainer, Who
has
created the universe out of nothing and has bestowed so many blessings
upon
us. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"So glorify Allaah, when you come up to the evening [i.e., offer the
Maghrib
(sunset) and `Isha' (night) prayers], and when you enter the morning
[I.e.,
offer the Fajr (morning) prayers].
And His is all the praise and thanks in the heavens and the earth, and
(glorify Him) in the afternoon [i.e., offer `Asr (mid-afternoon) prayer]
and
when you come up to the time when the day begins to decline [i.e., offer
the
Zuhr (mid-day) prayer].
He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the
living. And He revives the earth after its death, and thus shall you be
brought out (resurrected).
And among His Signs is this, that He created you (Adam) from dust, and
then
[Hawwa (Eve) from Adam's rib, then his offspring from the semen, and], -
behold you are human beings scattered!
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among
yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you
affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who
reflect.
And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
difference of your languages and colours. Verily in that are indeed signs
for men of sound knowledge.
And among His Signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day, and
your
seeking of His Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who
listen.
And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning, by way of fear and
hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith revives
the
earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who
understand.
And among His Signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His Command,
then afterwards when He will call you by single call, behold, you will
come
out from the earth (ie.e, from your graves, for reckoning and recompense).
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient
to
Him.
And He it is Who originates the creation, then will repeat it (after it
has
perished), and this is easier for Him. His is the highest description
(i.e.,
none has the right to be worshipped but He, and there is nothing
comparable
unto Him) in the heavens and in the earth. And He is the All-Mighty, the
All-Wise." [al-Room 30: 17-27]
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth,
and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow
wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to
cause the growth of their trees. Is there any god with Allaah? Nay, but
they
are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!
Is not he (better than you gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode,
and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein,
and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water). Is
there any god with Allaah? Nay, but most of them know not.
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when
He calls Him, and Who removes the evil, generations after generations. Is
there any god with Allaah? Little is it that you remember!
Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the
land
and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going
before His mercy (rain)? Is there any god with Allaah? High Exalted be
Allaah above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!
Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and
shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and
earth?
Is there any god with Allaah? Say: `bring forth your proofs, if you are
truthful'
Say: `None on the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allaah,
nor
can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.'"
[al-Naml 27:60-65]
So is there anyone or anything besides Allaah that deserves to be
worshipped?
Secondly: Allaah did not create us except to worship Him, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans except they should
worship
Me (Alone)."[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]
Thirdly: No one will be saved on the Day of Resurrection except those who
used to worship Allaah truly and sincerely. After death Allaah will
resurrect His slaves and call them to account, rewarding or punishing them
according to their deeds. No one will be saved on that day except for
those
who used to worship Allaah Alone. The rest will be gathered into a Hell, a
terrible fate! The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allaah
be upon him), was asked by his Companions: "Will we see our Lord on the
Day
of Resurrection?" He told them:
"Do you doubt that you can see the sun and the moon when the sky is
clear?"
We [his Companions] said, "No." He said, "Then you should not doubt that
you
will see your Lord on that Day, you will see Him as you see them (the sun
and moon)." Then he said, "A caller will call out, `Let every people go to
that which they used to worship.' So the worshippers of the cross will go
with their cross, the worshippers of idols will go with their idols and
the
worshippers of every god will go with their gods, until there will be left
those who used to worship Allaah, whether they were righteous or
otherwise,
and a few of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians]. Then Hell will
be
brought and shown to them as if it is a mirage. It will be said to the
Jews,
`What did you used to worship?' They will say, `We used to worship `Uzayr,
the son of God.' It will be said, `You have lied. Allaah does not have a
wife or son. What do you want?' They will say, `We want something to
drink.'
It will be said to them, `Drink!' and they will fall into Hell. Then it
will
be said to the Christians, `What did you used to worship?' They will say,
`We used to worship the Messiah, the son of God.' It will be said, `You
have
lied. Allaah does not have a wife or son. What do you want?' They will
say,
`We want something to drink.' It will be said to them, `Drink!' and they
will fall into Hell. Then there will be left those who used to worship
Allaah, whether they were righteous or otherwise. It will be said to them,
`What are you waiting for? All the people have gone.' They will say, `We
have separated from them and we need Him more today. We heard a caller
saying that every people should follow that which they used to worship, so
we are waiting for our Lord.' He will say, `Al-Jabbaar [the Compeller,
i.e.,
Allaah] will come.' And He will say, `I am your Lord.' They will say, `You
are our Lord,' but none will speak to Him except the Prophets. then every
believer will prostrate to Him." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, no. 6886).
These
believers are the people of Paradise on whom shall be no fear neither
shall
they grieve, and they will dwell therein for ever.
We hope that this matter has now become clear. In conclusion we can say
nothing except that which Allaah has said (interpretation of the meaning):
"Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his
ownself.
And whoever goes stray, then he goes astray to his own loss."
[al-Isra' 17:15]
Peace be upon him who follows the guidance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taken from: Islam Questions And Answers: Volume 1: Basic Tenets of Faith
(Belief) - Part 1
Download the book now from this site:
http://islammuslims.com/Downloads/Volume_1.exe
More info and Table of Contents at:
http://islammuslims.com/islam-qa/Volume_1_index.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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