Frequently Asked Questions on Muslim Belief

[Umm Mohammad]

Q 4: What is Worship?

A--- "Worship" is a comprehensive word that refers to all that which pleases Allah, and that which He likes, viz., good words and deeds that are made manifest or concealed; and freedom from all that which contradicts this.

Q 5: When can a deed be an act of worship?

A--- If there are two things: perfect love (for Allah) along with perfect subjection (to Him). Allah Almighty says: {But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else)}.(Al-Baqarah, 165)

Allah the Almighty says: {Verily those who live in awe for fear of their Lord}.(Al-Mu'minun, 57)

Allah the Almighty gathered the two things in the following verse that reads,{Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us}.(Al-Anbiya', 90)
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1 The Arabic word' Abd means a male slave, a slave of Allah the Almighty. (Translator)


Q 6: What can tell that Allah's slave loves his Lord, the Almighty?

A--- What can tell is that, one should love what is loved by Allah and dislike what is disliked by Him; he should act on His Orders and avoid His Prohibitions; he should be with those who love Allah, and show severe enmity to His enemies. That is why love and hatred for the sake of Allah are the most affirmed signs of Iman (Faith).

Q 7: How could Allah's slaves know what He loves?

A--- They know it through the coming of Messengers and the Revelation of the Heavenly Scriptures that contain the ordainments and prohibitions of Allah the Almighty. Thus; He presented His irrefutable proof and showed His infinite wisdom to all mankind. Allah the Almighty says: {Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the (coming of) Messengers}.(An-Nisa', 165)

He says: {Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to mankind): If you (really) love Allah then follow me,2 Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful}.(Al 'Imran, 31)
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2 Accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah. - Translator


Q 8: How many are the conditions of worship?

A---They are three

First: Sincere determination which is a condition that goes with the act of worship itself

Second: Sincerity of intention

Third: Compatibility with Islamic Law (Shari 'ah) ordained by Allah

The later two represent conditions for accepting an act of worship