By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
By
Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
Islâm is the only religion that tells us the reason for our existence
and our ultimate goal in life. Allâh
I our Creator makes it very
clear in the Qur’ân that the
very purpose why He has created us is to worship Him throughout our lives.
He I tells us:
“I have created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me
(Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed
Me. Verily, Allâh is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong.”
(51:56-58)
“So glorify the praises of your Rabb and be of
those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And
worship your Rabb (Sustainer) until there comes unto you the Hour that is
certain (i.e., death).”
(15:98-99)
We have to worship Allâh as He is the Creator of all (2:29, 117 and
6:73) ¾
the One Who gives life and death (3:156, 6:95 and 15:23) and to Him is our Final
Return (31:14-15). To Allâh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth;
and to Allâh is our return (24:42). Allâh
the Almighty says:
“And to Allâh belongs the sovereignty of the
heavens and the earth, and to Allâh is the return (of all).”
(24:42)
“Say: ‘shall I seek for (my) Cherisher other
than Allâh when He is the Rabb (Sustainer) of all things (that exist)? No
person earns any (sin) except against himself (only) and no bearer of burdens
shall bear the burden of another. Your
Goal in the end is toward Allâh: He will tell you the truth of the things
wherein you disputed.’” (6:164)
Since our goal in the end is towards Allâh
(6:164), it is a must that we must sincerely believe in Him and worship Him all
throughout our lives. This means to live and die in a state of Islâm, which
obliges us to perform at least the five times daily Salât (prayers). The
performance of Salât serves as the foundation of Islâm. Without it
there is no Islâm. Whoever
abandons it is not a Muslim:
Buraydah ibn Al-Hasibt
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
r
said,
“The covenant that is between us and them is (on the basis of) prayer,
so he who (abandons it, in fact shows) infidelity (to Allâh). “ (Tirmidhi
574, Ahmad, Nasa'i and Ibn
Majah)
“Successful indeed are the believers ¾
those who humble themselves in their prayers... and who (strictly) guard their
prayers. These will be the heirs, who will inherit Paradise. They will dwell
therein forever.” (23:9-11)
Umm Habibah t
narrated that Allâh’s
Messenger r
said, “A house
will be built in Paradise for anyone who prays in a day a night twelve rak'ahs”
And she added: “I have never abandoned (observing them) since I heard it from
Allâh’s Messenger r.”
Some
of the other narrators said the same words: “I have never abandoned (observing
them) since I heard (from so and so).”
(Muslim 1579)
Abu Qatada ibn Rab’i t
narrated that the Prophet r
said:
“Allâh, the Exalted said, ‘I made five times daily prayers
obligatory on your people, and I took a guarantee that if anyone observes them
regularly at their times, I shall admit him to Paradise; if anyone does not
offer them regularly, there is no such guarantee of Mine for him.’” (Abu
Dawud 430)
“Allâh has promised to Believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting stay. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh. That is the supreme triumph.” (9:72)
“The
reward is with Allâh: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow.
They will dwell therein forever. Allâh
well pleased with them, and they with Him ¾
all this for such as fear their Rabb.”
(98:8)
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