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<\/a><\/p>\nIslam is a complete way of life where a constant state of worship is not an unreachable ideal, but a rational possibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
When we hear the command to worship Allah<\/a> (Exalted be He) in the Qur\u2019an, what comes to mind?<\/p>\n Most likely we think of completing the five daily prayers<\/a>, fasting during the month of Ramadan<\/a>, or sharing a portion of our wealth with the poo<\/a>r. Although these acts are considered the foundations for faith – the pillars (arkan<\/i>) of Islam<\/a> – they comprise only one aspect of worship.<\/p>\n Worship, or `ibadah<\/i> in Arabic, is an inclusive term for all that Allah loves. In other words, worship<\/a> consists of everything one says or does for the pleasure of Allah, whether it is abiding by the required rituals, living by the example of the Prophet <\/a>(peace be upon him), or perfecting our behavior<\/a>.<\/p>\n Allah created us to worship Him and developed the religion of Islam as a \u201ccomplete way of life\u201d with rules and recommendations to govern our spiritual, physical, emotional, and social lives; these facts, clearly outlined in the Qur\u2019an<\/a>, suggest that a constant state of worship is not an unreachable ideal, but a rational possibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n But when faced with the demands of school, work, and family, and desires to socialize and pursue hobbies, how can we engage in the ongoing worship Allah asks of us?<\/p>\n Part of the answer lies in the following seven words: Intention<\/a> elevates deeds from habit to worship.<\/p>\n The Prophet emphasized the importance of our intentions when he said:<\/p>\n \u201cAll actions<\/a> are judged by intention, and each person will be rewarded according to their intention<\/a>.\u201d (Al-Bukhari)<\/p>\n By explicitly changing our attitude from a bitter \u201cI have to do this\u201d to a positive \u201cI want to do this for Allah\u201d many of our habitual tasks can in fact become acts of worship<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Qur\u2019an and Sunnah of the Prophe<\/a>t set out specifics on morals and manners<\/a> that can aid us in achieving a constant state of worship. Each of the following personal and social acts has the potential to draw us closer to our Creator:<\/p>\n – Modesty in dress and behaviour<\/p>\n – Grooming and cleanliness<\/a><\/p>\n – Eating and drinking<\/p>\n – Using the bathroom<\/p>\n – Seeking knowledge<\/a><\/p>\n – Travelling<\/p>\n – Going to work<\/p>\n – Keeping in touch with loved ones<\/p>\n – Greeting others<\/a><\/p>\n – Being punctual<\/a><\/p>\n – Exchanging gifts<\/p>\n – Respecting elders<\/p>\n – Kindness to animals<\/p>\n – Expressing gratitude<\/a><\/p>\n – Volunteering<\/p>\n Many of us attend to these everyday tasks with little forethought, ignoring the numerous opportunities to earn reward.<\/p>\n Instead, take note of that which Allah loves, and use the power of intention to remain in a state of worship. As Khurram Murad states in the book \u201cIn the Early Hours\u201d:<\/p>\n \u201cLet there be no territories carved up and no frontiers set up in serving Him….Let nothing motivate us but an intense longing to please our Lord in the next world<\/a>, and let that expectation give a decisive shape to our life here.\u201d<\/p>\n _________________________<\/p>\nPersonal Acts<\/b><\/h1>\n
Social Acts<\/b><\/h1>\n