The Worship

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is written in the Torah, “O son of Adam, devote yourself to my worship and I will fill your heart with riches and will not leave you to your own quest. It is upon Me to meet your needs and fill your heart with fear from Me. If you do not devote yourself to My worship I will fill your heart with preoccupation in worldly matters, and then I will not meet your needs and will leave you up to your own pursuit.’””

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, “O My truthful servants, enjoy the blessings of worshipping Me in this world; you will enjoy its benefits in the next life.’””

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The best of the people are those who love worship (of Allah) intensely. They hold to it, love it in their hearts, accompany it with their body and are devoted in it. Such people are concerned no more about the world, whether it gives them comfort or difficulties.’”

‘“Isa ibn ‘Abd Allah once said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is worship?’ The Imam said, ‘It is good intention in obedience to Allah concerning the aspects through which He is obeyed. As for you, O ‘Isa, you will not be a believer until you can distinguish the abrogating from the abrogated.’ I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is distinguishing the abrogating from the abrogated?’ The Imam said, ‘Is it not true that you obey an Imam with good intention and in good faith, and when that Imam passes away and another Imam comes, you settle your soul on obedience to him with good intention and in good faith?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘This is distinguishing the abrogating from the abrogated.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘There are three kinds of worship: there are people who worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, because of fear. This kind of worship is the worship of slaves. There are people who worship Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, for His rewards. This is the worship of people for hire. There are people who worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for His love. This is the worship of free people and this is the best kind of worship.’”

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘How ugly is poverty after riches, sin in destitution and worst of all worshipping Allah and then giving up His worship.’”

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘One who fulfills what Allah has made obligatory upon him, he, among the people, is the one who worships the most.’”