{"id":34302,"date":"2024-12-13T11:33:38","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T11:33:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/daruliftabirmingham.co.uk\/home\/?p=34302"},"modified":"2024-12-30T13:04:07","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T13:04:07","slug":"thoughts-on-why-do-i-need-to-worship-allah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/daruliftabirmingham.co.uk\/home\/thoughts-on-why-do-i-need-to-worship-allah\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts On Why Do I Need To Worship Allah"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fatwa ID:07753<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Answered by Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Question:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Every time I do any act of Ibadah whether it be salah, dhikr or reading the Quran, I always find myself asking \u2018Why am I doing this? Why am I worshipping Allah and obeying Allah? If He decided to create me out of His will without my consent, why do I have to pray five times a day and obey Allah? Why am I in this test without my decision?\u2019\u00a0This question bugs me all the time and it ruins my intention for salah, Quran and even thinking of Allah.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/b>
\n<\/b>Regarding Salah, I am struggling with concentration. Even when I try to concentrate on the meaning and the fact that Allah is watching me, I still manage to drift away into my own thoughts and feelings. I want to know what and how I should be feeling during and after Salah, because currently, I feel guilty during and after salah as well as just relieved I finally prayed it. Sometimes it\u2019s hard to just focus my mind solely on Salah because I have a million different things in my head and I can\u2019t switch all these thoughts off.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Together with not being able to concentrate and questioning why exactly I am doing anything for Allah and why I owe Allah, I am starting to dread salah and it feels very daunting to pray when I know these questions will pop up and that my concentration will drift away.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I feel like my Ibadah is ruined and that Allah won\u2019t accept them and it\u2019s just tiring to constantly experience these thoughts. I just want to be able to do Ibadah sincerely like a normal person and not have my day ruined like this.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Answer<\/b>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the foundational aspects of Islam is recognising that worship is a privilege and an honour rather than a burden. Allah created us out of His infinite wisdom, and worship is a way to connect with our Creator, who knows what\u2019s best for us and loves us immensely. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Allah says:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>(Surah Adh-Dhariyat,:56)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Allah created us with a purpose, and in this purpose lies our fulfilment and peace. Worship is how we return to our source and attain contentment and tranquillity. Even though we may not remember being asked or choosing this path, we are assured that Allah\u2019s wisdom and mercy encompass everything. We were created with a purpose that fulfils our very nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the Hanafi school, it is emphasised that <\/span>ibadah<\/span><\/i> (worship) is an essential part of realising our purpose and seeking closeness to Allah.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The thoughts you are experiencing\u2014wondering why you\u2019re doing\u00a0<\/span>ibadah<\/span><\/i>\u00a0or struggling with concentration\u2014are examples of\u00a0<\/span>waswasa<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(whispers of Shaytan). Shaytan often attacks people through doubts, especially in matters of worship, to prevent us from focusing on our purpose.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is said in hadith \u201cThe Prophet (<\/span>\ufdfa<\/span>) said, “Allah has forgiven my followers the evil thoughts that occur to their minds, as long as such thoughts are not put into action or uttered.” (Bukhari 5269)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you do not question Allah\u2019s power and might, you should feel content that you are in a form of worship with your continuous practice and effort.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One must realise that Islam is a very easy religion, and Allah does not want to burden you, this is Allah\u2019s promise in the Quran in Surah Baqarah 185 \u201c <\/span>Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear\u201d<\/i><\/b>. This means that Allah only will provide tests and tribulations in your life enough for you to bear and no more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is evident that you are sincerely striving to please Allah, despite any intrusive thoughts or whispers (<\/span>waswasa<\/span><\/i>) you may experience. Remind yourself regularly that guidance (<\/span>hidaya<\/span><\/i>) is granted by Allah to those whom He chooses. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As mentioned in the hadith:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Prophet (<\/span>\ufdfa<\/span>) said: \u2018Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him; and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With regards to feeling guilty, understand that these thoughts and feelings are not a sign that your worship is ruined. Allah knows the struggles we face, and He appreciates every sincere effort, even when it\u2019s difficult. You\u2019re rewarded for every sincere attempt to worship, regardless of how distracted or unsure you feel.\u00a0 It says in a hadith: \u201c<\/span>Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: <\/b>The Messenger of Allah (<\/span>\ufdfa<\/span>) was asked: “Which deed is the best?” He (<\/span>\ufdfa<\/span>) replied, “Faith in Allah and Jihad (fighting, struggle) in the Cause of Allah.”<\/span> (Riyadus Saaliheen 1287). In your case, the struggle for you here is you trying your utmost best to stay focused.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In summary, moving forward,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n