Religious Duties

Glory belongs to God.

I was born in 1973. I was brought up without any religion. I lived in Sydney. For some time, you could say I was a skeptic. However, by the age of about 25, I had begun to 'explore' belief systems. At first, though, I didn't want to make much effort other than reading.

Eventually, after learning meditation, I began to use meditation for health benefits, whereas beforehand I had preferred swimming in the ocean, bushwalking, or sports. Even so, at first I didn't realise that the primary function of worship is spiritual, not physical.

Eventually I realised that meditation should be used for spiritual gain, not only physical, and then I began to feel a desire for meditation. These days, I believe that worship is actually incumbent on the good souls within humanity, it's like brushing your teeth, you can't get far without it. The Quranic position is my position.

Some people argue that there are certain individuals who are lucky enough that they have a mission in life that is so crucially necessary to humanity, that their very occupation within that mission is a form of worship. My point of view is that the following comments by the Qur'an more or less rule out this possibility.

1. Prophets have to worship. Early prophets called on god with supplication. Later prophets instigated regular worship. In chapter 17 of the Qu'ran, the prophet Mohammad himself is personally commanded to engage in nighttime worship for the sake of helping him with his prophetic mission.

2. In chapter 11 the Qur'an discusses worship at the community level; the establishment of regular worship among the people is clearly encouraged. In fact, the Qur'an speaks much of worship throughout its length; sincerity and purity in worship are recommend highly.

The points raised above, and in the article below, show that for anyone who believes in the Qur'an as god's word, it would be very hard, if not impossible, to argue against the duty of worship.

Glory be to God.

Religious Duties – A Gift from God

Glory belongs to God. This article is taken from Appendix 15 of the Translation of the Qu’rān by Dr Rashad Khalifa, as it is found on the website www.submission.org. I don’t agree with everything Dr. Rashad Khalifa has said, however I do agree with some of it. We all have the right to our opinions, and glory belongs to God.

A supplication of the prophet Abraham was so significant in mankind's history that it is reported in the Qur'an. He implored God, not for wealth or health, but that he might be made to be a person who observes worship.

This is found, for example, in chapter 14 of the Qu’rān, verse 40, ‘My lord! Make me to establish proper worship, and some of my posterity also; Our lord! And accept my supplication’, but it’s worth reading the whole chapter to get the full picture about him. Chapter 11 also discusses worship, and is key to the concept of regular prayer – again, it's worth reading the whole chapter.

The religious duties instituted by God are a great gift. They constitute the nourishment required for the growth and development of our souls. With such nourishment we can prepare for the return to God and the day of judgement. Belief in God does not, by itself, guarantee our redemption; we must also nourish our souls.

This is mentioned in many places in the Qu’rān, for example chapter 6. In line 158 it explains: “Are they waiting to see if the angels come to them, or thy lord himself, or certain of the signs of thy lord! The day that certain of the signs of thy lord do come, no good will it do to a soul to believe in them then if it believed not before, nor earned righteousness through its faith. Say ‘Wait ye: we too are waiting’”.

The reader may see that the context of this line is actually to make clear to man that passivity will not be accepted as an excuse on the day of judgement, nor will similar avoidance techniques; yet, the point is made clear to us that ‘earning righteousness through faith’ is recommended. It is saying, learn how to be good, and be good.

The fate that is in store for those who reject this advice is exemplified by the story of the Pharaoh, as evidenced in chapter 10 of the Qu’rān. Lines 90-92 of the chapter give the story of his plea to God for mercy as he was dashed, but shows that at that point it was too late.

God chose to save Pharoah’s body, to make it a lesson for later peoples, yet his soul couldn’t be saved, due to his misdeeds. Additionally, 15:99 states that observing the religious duties instituted by God is our duty while we wait for the events of the future: “But celebrate the praises of thy lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration. And serve thy lord until there come unto thee that which is certain”.

That's the article by Rashad Khalifa. Thanks be to God. It explained things to me quite clearly. Also, though, let me not forget that pilgrimage, for those who can manage it, is a duty. Read the Qur'an, chapter 22, for more details about that.

Glory belongs to God.