Understanding ‘Ibadah’

THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION “By reflecting on the exchange between the worshipers and the worshiped in this verse, it becomes clear that the ‘worshiped’ here does not refer to idols or deities that were worshiped. Instead, it refers to leaders and guides who misguided people by posing as benevolent seekers of good. These are those who appeared cloaked in sanctity, wearing prayer beads, cloaks, and robes, deceiving the servants of God into becoming their followers. By claiming to be reformers and well-wishers, they spread evil and corruption. Here, blind adherence to such people and unquestioning obedience to their commands is what is described as worship.” (pp. 74-75) The reason this explanation interprets ‘ibadah as social obedience lies in the mistake of the author under review, who assumes that the dialogue mentioned in the verse is between the worshippers and the worshipped. In reality, this dialogue is between two groups of worshipers, not between the worshipers and the worshiped. Due to this misunderstanding, the author under review translated “ ” قالوا بل مل تکونو موم نی as “Their deities will respond...” However, in this phrase, قالوا does not refer to the worshiped but rather to الذین ( ظلموا the wrongdoers). In fact, there are not just two groups mentioned here, but three distinct groups.