The Essence of Servitude and Pure Devotion to Allah
Allah, the Lord of all worlds, is the sole Creator and Master of the universe — a Being whose attributes are beyond complete human comprehension.
Yet, man often offers his devotion, emotions, and worship to insignificant and powerless entities, unaware of how far he has drifted from his true purpose.
People are seen:
– Sacrificing their lives for their nation, homeland, freedom, or other material ideals,
– Taking pride in singing national anthems,
– Venerating monuments of national heroes as sacred,
– Dedicating their efforts to upholding democracy and securing worldly liberties,
– Even assigning sanctity to stone and wooden idols, utterly devoid of any power.
People worship both the living and the dead —
– Disrupt entire cities to expand gravesites,
– Sacrifice living human beings to appease lifeless idols.
Yet, these so-called deities possess no might, no will, and no benefit to offer.
✔ This behavior is rooted in man’s innate urge to worship.
But this instinct only finds beauty and meaning when it is exclusively directed toward Allah.
True joy in worship is found when a person lives for Allah, and his servitude is free from any trace of shirk (associating partners with Him).
– Such servitude is the most beautiful and elevated act.
– Man must understand his purpose of creation and strive to attain maʿrifah (recognition) of Allah.
These two —
① Consciousness of worship, and
② Recognition of Allah
— are the highest forms of knowledge a person can possess.
Allah gives clear reminders in the Qur’an regarding the absurdity of idol worship and the grandeur of the Creator:
"إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ
أَئِفْكًا آلِهَةً دُونَ اللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ
فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ"
(As-Ṣāffāt: 85–87)
"When he (Ibrāhīm) said to his father and his people: What is it that you worship?
Is it falsehood—gods other than Allah—that you desire?
So what is your opinion about the Lord of the worlds?"
"مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّهِ وَقَارًا
وَقَدْ خَلَقَكُمْ أَطْوَارًا…"
(Nūḥ: 13–20)
"What is the matter with you that you do not show reverence to Allah,
While He has created you in stages?"
When a person:
– Recognizes Allah with clarity,
– Distances himself from shirk,
– And devotes his life sincerely to Allah,
He achieves the very purpose of his existence.
✔ This is the essence of religion,
✔ And the greatest form of knowledge.
❖ The Majesty of Allah and the Helplessness of Man
Allah, the Lord of all worlds, is the sole Creator and Master of the universe — a Being whose attributes are beyond complete human comprehension.
Yet, man often offers his devotion, emotions, and worship to insignificant and powerless entities, unaware of how far he has drifted from his true purpose.
People are seen:
– Sacrificing their lives for their nation, homeland, freedom, or other material ideals,
– Taking pride in singing national anthems,
– Venerating monuments of national heroes as sacred,
– Dedicating their efforts to upholding democracy and securing worldly liberties,
– Even assigning sanctity to stone and wooden idols, utterly devoid of any power.
✿ The Misguidance of Man and the Worthlessness of False Deities
People worship both the living and the dead —
– Disrupt entire cities to expand gravesites,
– Sacrifice living human beings to appease lifeless idols.
Yet, these so-called deities possess no might, no will, and no benefit to offer.
✔ This behavior is rooted in man’s innate urge to worship.
But this instinct only finds beauty and meaning when it is exclusively directed toward Allah.
❖ The True Essence of ʿUbūdiyyah: Sincerity for Allah Alone
True joy in worship is found when a person lives for Allah, and his servitude is free from any trace of shirk (associating partners with Him).
– Such servitude is the most beautiful and elevated act.
– Man must understand his purpose of creation and strive to attain maʿrifah (recognition) of Allah.
These two —
① Consciousness of worship, and
② Recognition of Allah
— are the highest forms of knowledge a person can possess.
✿ Divine Guidance Through the Qur’an
Allah gives clear reminders in the Qur’an regarding the absurdity of idol worship and the grandeur of the Creator:
"إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ
أَئِفْكًا آلِهَةً دُونَ اللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ
فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ"
(As-Ṣāffāt: 85–87)
"When he (Ibrāhīm) said to his father and his people: What is it that you worship?
Is it falsehood—gods other than Allah—that you desire?
So what is your opinion about the Lord of the worlds?"
"مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّهِ وَقَارًا
وَقَدْ خَلَقَكُمْ أَطْوَارًا…"
(Nūḥ: 13–20)
"What is the matter with you that you do not show reverence to Allah,
While He has created you in stages?"
❖ The Path to True Religion: Knowing Allah and Avoiding Shirk
When a person:
– Recognizes Allah with clarity,
– Distances himself from shirk,
– And devotes his life sincerely to Allah,
He achieves the very purpose of his existence.
✔ This is the essence of religion,
✔ And the greatest form of knowledge.
