= What is Worship ? ! =

Assalam o alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

In general an action cannot be regarded as an act of worship unless
it meets two conditions, namely perfect love and perfect humility.
ALLAAH says: “But those who believe, love Allaah more (than anything else)”[al-Baqarah 2]“and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us”[al-Anbiya’ 21]If
this is understood, then one will realize that worship is only accepted
from a Muslim who believes in Allaah alone (Tawheed), as Allaah says of
the disblievers: “And We shall turn to whatever deeds they
(disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds
as scattered floating particles of dust” [al-Furqaan 25]

The Muslim’s worship will not be accepted unless it meets two basic conditions:
1 – Sincerity of intention towards Allaah alone,
which means that a person’s intention in all his words and actions,
both outward and inward, is to do them for the sake of Allaah alone and
no one else.“And who has (in mind) no favour from anyone to be paid back, Except to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High” [al-Layl 92-20]And the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Allaah does not accept any deed except that which is done only for Him and to seek His Countenance (pleasure).” [Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 3140; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 52.]

2– The action must be in accordance with the laws which Allaah has
enjoined and stated that He must be worshipped only in accordance with
them. This is achieved by following the Prophet (SAS)
and the message he brought, and not going against that or introducing
new acts of worship or new forms of worship which were not reported from
him (PBUH).ALLAH Says: "Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If
you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allaah will love you and
forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" [Aal 'Imraan 3]The Messenger of Allaah (SAS) said: "Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours will have it rejected." [Narrated by Muslim, 1718.]i.e.,
his deed will be thrown back at him and not accepted from him. If
anyone goes against these two conditions (sincerity towards Allaah alone
and following His laws) in any action, then he will not benefit from
it. The one who seeks goodness and wants to please his Lord, let him
worship Him and draw near to Him by the means that He has ordained for
them.”
Hence, in religion Islaam every
action which is not ordained by ALLAH through his prophet (SAS) is not
worship. Every action which forms worship and bring about ALLAH's
pleasure is mentioned very explicitly in Quraan and safeguarded in
authentic Ahadeeth. Every action which can bring about wrath of ALLAH is
also mentioned very explicitly in Quraan and safeguarded in authentic
ahadeeth.Prophet (PBUH) said: “I have not left anything
that will bring you closer to Allaah and distance you from the Hellfire,
except that I have commanded you with it. And I have not left anything
that will bring you closer to the Hellfire and distance you from Allaah
except that I have forbade you from it.” [Silsilah Sahiha 1803]

Two Important Principles:

(1)The general principle regarding things of this world is that everything
is permissible unless proven otherwise from the text (Quraan and
authentic Hadeeth). This applies to all worldly things.

(2) As for religious deeds, the deed must be proven or it will be considered an innovation. (Please memorise this)

Wa Alaikum salam wa rehmatulahi wa brakatuhu

Jazak Allah khaira'n Kaseera'n Kaseera

Nice thread

khush raho sada Ameen