Testing the Concept of Worship in Religion
How to evaluate and test the concept of worship (ibadah) in different religions.
The Three Concepts for Testing True Religion
From the previous chapter, to test a true religion, there are three essential concepts:
1. Theology (Ketuhanan)
The concept of God and divinity
2. Worship (Ibadah)
The concept of worship and devotion
3. Social Interaction (Muamalah)
The concept of human relationships and social conduct
First Concept: Theology (Ketuhanan)
Surah Muhammad (47:19)
Arabic: فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Translation: "So know that there is no deity except Allah."
Reference: Quran 47:19 - We must have knowledge when establishing Allah as the only one true God.
Linguistic Analysis of "Fa'lam"
Arabic: فَاعْلَمْ - a li ma (عَلِمَ), means with knowledge
Root: ع-ل-م (ayn-lam-mim) - the root of knowledge and understanding
The command is not just to know, but to know with knowledge - indicating the requirement of proper understanding and learning.
Meaning: The verb form emphasizes that the knowledge must be acquired through proper learning and understanding, not just assumption or tradition.
The Requirement of Knowledge
That's why we have to learn, and with that knowledge, logic, etc., then we can accept Allah as God.
• Knowledge (Ilmu - علم) - We must acquire knowledge about Allah's existence and attributes
• Logic (Mantiq - منطق) - We must use logical reasoning to understand Allah's oneness
• Understanding (Fahm - فهم) - We must comprehend why Allah is the only true God
• Acceptance (Tasdiq - تصديق) - Only then can we truly accept Allah as God
Surah Taha (20:14)
Arabic: إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي
Translation: "Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance."
Reference: Quran 20:14 - Allah's declaration of His oneness and command to worship.
Linguistic Analysis of "Inna"
Inna (إِنَّ) is harfu nasobun (حرف نصب) (particle of emphasis) and al-tawkeed (التوكيد) (for emphasis).
Nasoba rajulu (نصب رجل) - a man who plants a stick in the ground until it becomes firm and doesn't shake.
Nasoba rajulu asobu fil ardi (نصب رجل أصوب في الأرض) - to strengthen a meaning in the ground, so that we plant this information firmly in our hearts, so that it does not waver or shake, so that we do not doubt.
Therefore, Allah emphasizes: "I am Allah, worship Me."
Second Concept: Worship (Ibadah)
The Need for Guidance in Worship
After we know and firmly establish that Allah is our God, we realize we need to worship Him. But how do we worship? We need guidance on the proper way to worship Allah.
How amazing that Allah, in His mercy, provides us with the guidance we need through His revelation (wahyu - وحي), the Quran.
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185)
Arabic: هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ
Translation: "Guidance for all mankind"
Reference: Quran 2:185 - The Quran is guidance for ALL mankind, not only for Muslims, but for everyone! This is Allah's gift to humanity.
The Effect of Quranic Guidance
Surah Al-Anfal (8:2)
Arabic: إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ
Translation: "The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble."
Reference: Quran 8:2 - Every verse brings us closer to Him, and if we still have signs of faith, we will feel the vibration.
The Five Daily Adhan
That's why we hear 5 adhan per day - to see if we still have a signal when we hear Allah's call. The adhan is a test of our spiritual connection and responsiveness to Allah's guidance.
The Role of the Prophet
From there, it's clear that we have to pray, so Rasul (الرسول - the Prophet) is sent to us to guide and show us how to pray.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as a practical guide to teach us the correct method of worship, including how to perform prayer (salah - صلاة) according to Allah's command.
Surah Taha (20:14) - Continued
Arabic: وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي
Translation: "And establish prayer for My remembrance."
Reference: Quran 20:14 - The specific method of worship prescribed by Allah.
Third Concept: Social Interaction (Muamalah)
The third essential concept for testing true religion is social interaction (muamalah) - how the religion guides human relationships and social conduct in all aspects of life.
Complete Life Guidance
From waking up until going to sleep again, there must be prayers. Which other religion provides guidance from beginning to end? Every activity has its prayer, and they are all different! This is impossible for human invention.
Knowledge is Required
There must be knowledge (ilmu - علم) to establish Allah as God. This knowledge comes from divine revelation.
Method Must Be Prescribed
The way to worship Allah must follow His prescribed method, not human innovation.
Source Must Be Divine
The source of worship must come from Allah's revelation, not human tradition or culture.
The Comprehensive Nature of True Religion
Religion Must Have Strong Aqidah
A true religion must have strong aqidah (عقيدة - creed) and provide comprehensive guidance. It's not just about fulfilling spiritual needs, but providing guidance for all aspects of life for the purpose of worship.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56)
Arabic: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
Translation: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
Reference: Quran 51:56 - We live to make all our activities as worship.
Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:5)
Arabic: وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ
Translation: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion."
Reference: Quran 98:5 - This is the tafseer of "liya'budun" (لِيَعْبُدُونِ) - mukhlisin lahu (مخلصين له), mukhlis (مخلص) = Al-Ikhlas (الإخلاص), only to Allah.
Final Principle: No Compulsion
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256)
Arabic: لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ
Translation: "There is no compulsion in religion."
Reference: Quran 2:256 - The fundamental principle of religious freedom.
Surah Al-Imran (3:83)
Arabic: أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ اللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
Translation: "Do they seek other than the religion of Allah? And to Him have submitted all those within the heavens and earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned."
Reference: Quran 3:83 - What are you still seeking other than this? But still, after knowing all this, there is no compulsion.
Surah Al-Imran (3:85)
Arabic: وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Translation: "And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers."
Reference: Quran 3:85 - Everyone will be responsible for their own choices.
The Beauty of Islamic Freedom
After presenting the complete truth with logical evidence, Islam still grants complete freedom of choice. "Lakum dinukum waliyadin" (لكم دينكم ولي دين) - "To you your religion, and to me mine."
This is not weakness, but confidence: Islam presents the truth so clearly that it doesn't need force. The truth is already established and unchanging - no matter what choice a person makes, the truth remains constant.
The profound wisdom: As Allah says in 2:256: "There is no compulsion in religion" - but the verse continues: "the truth is very clear from falsehood." This demonstrates the ultimate confidence in divine truth and respect for human dignity and free will.
Key Takeaways
- • True religion must have three concepts: Theology (Ketuhanan), Worship (Ibadah), and Social Interaction (Muamalah)
- • Knowledge is required to establish Allah as God
- • Allah emphasizes His oneness with strong linguistic emphasis
- • Worship must follow Allah's prescribed method
- • The source of worship must be divine revelation, not human invention
- • Prayer (salah) is the specific method of worship commanded by Allah
- • True religion provides comprehensive life guidance from beginning to end
- • Every activity has its specific prayer - impossible for human invention
- • We live to make all activities as worship, with sincerity only to Allah
- • The beauty of Islam: even after presenting complete truth, there is no compulsion - demonstrating confidence in truth and respect for human dignity