ISLAMIC ACTS OF WORSHIP
Friday, February 8, 2008 by Tansa
Islam requires its followers not only to believe in certain things but also to carry out certain duties. In the present section we will deal with those duties that relate to the worship of God.
Worship of God, in some form or another, is common to all religions of the world. The purpose of worshiping God in Islam is to evoke His help and guidance in leading a purposeful life in this world, and to acquire His attributes.
When we praise a thing, we wish to acquire it and appreciate its attributes. Praising God is appreciating His attributes and awakening a desire to acquire them. To be merciful when the situation demands, to be firm when the situation requires. The Holy Prophet said, "Create in you the attributes of God". Mere recitation of God's praise by the tongue, therefore, is not sufficient.
In the broader sense of the word, worship is obeying God. The various ritualistic worships described below are nothing but means of training the soul and disciplining one's self. The five fundamental acts of worship in Islam are:
1. Declaration of Faith
2. Prayer
3. Zakat
4. Fasting
5. Pilgrimage
Worship of God, in some form or another, is common to all religions of the world. The purpose of worshiping God in Islam is to evoke His help and guidance in leading a purposeful life in this world, and to acquire His attributes.
When we praise a thing, we wish to acquire it and appreciate its attributes. Praising God is appreciating His attributes and awakening a desire to acquire them. To be merciful when the situation demands, to be firm when the situation requires. The Holy Prophet said, "Create in you the attributes of God". Mere recitation of God's praise by the tongue, therefore, is not sufficient.
In the broader sense of the word, worship is obeying God. The various ritualistic worships described below are nothing but means of training the soul and disciplining one's self. The five fundamental acts of worship in Islam are:
1. Declaration of Faith
2. Prayer
3. Zakat
4. Fasting
5. Pilgrimage
