CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION

Ibn Kathir writes: al-‘ibadah fi al-lughah min al-dhull, yuqal: tariq mu‘abbad, wa-ba‘ir mu‘abbad, ay mudhalla, wafi al-shar’ ‘ibarah ‘amma yajma‘u kamal al-mahabbah waal-khudu‘ wa-al-khawf (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 1, p. 134). Meaning: The linguistic sense of ‘ibadah is lowliness. Thus one says tariq mu‘abbad (a road made smooth) or ba‘ir mu‘abbad (a tamed camel), both implying subjugation. In the Shariah, it refers to that which combines perfect love, humility, and fear. Ibn Taymiyyah states: ‘wa-lafz al-‘ubudiyyah yatadamman kamal al-dhull wa-kamal al-hubb (al-Fatawa al-Kubra, Vol. 5, p. 196). Meaning: The word ‘ubudiyyah signifies both perfect humility and perfect love. Ibn al-Qayyim writes: al-‘ibadah tajma‘u aslayn: ghayat al-hubb bi-ghayat al-dhull wa-al-khudu’ (Madarij alSalikeen, Vol. 1, p. 115). Meaning: Worship consists of two elements: utmost love along with utmost humility and submission. The core of worship is to completely humble oneself before God. This is the message the Quran conveys through words like khashyah (awe), tadarru’ (earnest supplication), ikhbat (devotion), inabah (turning back), khushu’ (humble submission), khudu’ (bowing low), and qunut (obedient devotion). To worship God means to surrender oneself fully before Him. The One before whom this surrender occurs is not a