What is worship, and how do love and submission enter it?
2026-09-20
T01 · Ibn Taymiyyah
Ibn Taymiyyah
شيخ الإسلام أحمد بن تيمية
Original Q&A · Selected source passage(s) — fully translated
Selected passages from the opening of Ibn Taymiyyah’s answer defining worship. The displayed paragraphs do not reproduce the intervening examples of outward acts. The English translates every displayed Arabic paragraph; this selection is not the complete surrounding work. Square brackets identify translator-supplied clarification.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
سئل عن قوله عز وجل: يا أيها الناس اعبدوا ربكم، فما العبادة؟ وما حقيقة العبودية؟
الجواب
العبادة هي اسم جامع لكل ما يحبه الله ويرضاه من الأقوال والأعمال الباطنة والظاهرة.
وكذلك حب الله ورسوله، وخشية الله والإنابة إليه، وإخلاص الدين له، والصبر لحكمه، والشكر لنعمه، والرضا بقضائه، والتوكل عليه؛ إلى أمثال ذلك من العبادة.
English translation
English translation reviewed against the displayed Arabic by SalafAlSalih editorial preparation (AI-assisted); explanatory additions appear in square brackets or separate notes.
Original question
He was asked about Allah’s command to worship Him: what is worship, and what is the reality of servitude?
Answer
Worship is a comprehensive term for everything Allah loves and is pleased with, of inward and outward words and deeds.
Likewise, love of Allah and His Messenger, fear of Allah, turning to Him, sincerely devoting the religion to Him, patience with His judgment, gratitude for His blessings, contentment with His decree, reliance upon Him, and similar matters are acts of worship.
Source and editorial notes
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 10/149–153
مجموع الفتاوى
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā
Arabic passage checked against the cited edition and location. English reviewed against every displayed Arabic paragraph on 14 October 2026.