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Who do Muslims Worship?

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

category: Common Questions

source: Islam-QA.com

reads: 6989

Before answering, we would like to express our appreciation for your interest, at such a young age, in the religion of Islam. May Allaah open the door for you to find much blessing through your asking this question, and decree for you guidance such as you have never thought of. Allaah (the Arabic name for the One True God – Translator) says in the Qur'aan (the Holy Book of Islam) (interpretation of the meaning):

"This is the Guidance of Allaah with which He guides whomsoever He will of His slaves…" [al-An'aam 6:88]

"And whomsoever Allaah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam…" [al-An'aam 6:125]

With regard to this important question – who do the Muslims worship? – the answer is to be found in the Holy Qur'aan, which is the Scripture of Islam, and in the words of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) who received Revelation from his Lord.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"In the name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All praises and thanks be to Allaah, the Lord of the 'Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists), the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful, the Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e., the Day of Resurrection). You (Alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help (for each and every thing)." [al-Faatihah 1:1-5]

"O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allaah), Who has created you and those before you so that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious)." [al-Baqarah 2:21]

"Such is Allaah, your Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakeel (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things." [al-An'aam 6:102]

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour." [al-Isra' 17:23]

Muslim worship Allaah (the One True God) whom all the Prophets worshipped. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya'qoob (Jacob)? When he said unto his sons, 'What will you worship after me?' They said, 'We shall worship your God, the God of your fathers, Ibraaheem (Abraham), Ismaa'eel (Ishmael) and Is-haaq (Isaac), One God, and to Him we submit (in Islam)." [al-Baqarah 2:133]

The Muslims worship Allaah and call others who follow different religions to worship Allaah Alone, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say (O Muhammad): 'O People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah, and we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah.' Then, if they turn away, say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.'" [Aal 'Imraan 3:64]

It is Allaah Alone Whom Nooh (Noah) (peace be upon him) called his people to worship, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Indeed, We sent Nooh (Noah) to his people and he said: 'O my people! Worship Allaah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!.'" [al-A'raaf 7:59]

It is Allaah Alone whom the Messiah (Jesus) (peace be upon him) called people to worship, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Surely they have disbelieved who say: 'Allaah is the Messiah (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary).' But the Messiah said: 'O Children of Israel! Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.' Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the zaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers." [al-Maa'idah 5:73]

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): 'O 'Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: 'Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allaah?'

He will say: 'Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours. You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden and unseen. Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allaah) did command me to say: 'Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things.'" [al-Maa'idah 5:116-117]

When Allaah spoke to His Prophet Moosa (Moses) (peace be upon him), He said (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, I am Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me, and perform al-Salaah (prayer) for My Remembrance." [Ta-Ha 20:14]

Allaah commanded His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as follows (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say (O Muhammad): 'O mankind! If you are in doubt as to my religion (Islam), then (know that) I will never worship those whom you worship, besides Allaah. But I worship Allaah Who causes you to die, I am commanded to be one of the believers." [Yoonus 10:104]

It is Him Alone, with no partner or associate, Whom the angels worship and do not worship anyone or anything besides Him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him (i.e., the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of His worship)." [al-Anbiya' 21:19]

Everything that is worshipped instead of Allaah can neither bring benefit nor cause harm, it can neither create nor provide. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say (O Muhammad, to mankind); 'How do you worship besides Allaah something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is Allaah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.'" [al-Maa'idah 5:76]

"You worship besides Allaah only idols, and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship besides Allaah have no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allaah (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back." [al-'Ankaboot 29:17]

Having explained this, we must complete the topic by asking: why should we worship Allaah Alone with no partner or associate? The answer is as follows:

Firstly

Because there is nothing and nobody else in the universe that deserves to be worshipped, for Allaah is the Creator and Sustainer, Who has created the universe out of nothing and has bestowed so many blessings upon us. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"So glorify Allaah, when you come up to the evening (i.e., offer the Maghrib (sunset) and 'Isha' (night) prayers), and when you enter the morning (i.e., offer the Fajr (morning) prayers)."

"And His is all the praise and thanks in the heavens and the earth, and (glorify Him) in the afternoon (i.e., offer 'Asr (mid-afternoon) prayer) and when you come up to the time when the day begins to decline (i.e., offer the Zuhr (mid-day) prayer)."

"He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living. And He revives the earth after its death, and thus shall you be brought out (resurrected)."

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