With this part, we come to the conclusion of this issue, during which we will highlight the consequences of being heedless of worship and the fruits gained by being heedful of it.
The consequence of abandoning worship: One should fear Allah and beware of all things that invalidate worship or remove its reward. Among these are associating partners with Allah and showing off. Allah says (what means): “If they had joined in worship others with Allah all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.” [Quran 6:88].
Another act that invalidates worship is innovation. The Prophet said: “Whoever does a deed upon which there is no order from us will have it rejected.”
Doing injustice to others also destroys one’s worship. The Prophet said: “The bankrupt among my Nation is the one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, charity and fasting and yet has abused someone, slandered someone, taken someone’s money illegally, shed someone’s blood and beaten someone. Each of these people will be given for his good deeds (by way of compensation). If his good deeds however finish before judgement is passed on him, parts of their sins will be thrown on him, and he will then be cast into Hell.” (Muslim).
Of these things that invalidate one’s worship is filthy words uttered by some people without thinking of their consequences. The Prophet said: “A man may utter a word (carelessly) which displeases Allah without thinking of it’s gravity and because of that he will be thrown into the Hell-fire.” (Ibn Maajah). The Prophet also told us of a man who said: “By Allah! Allah will not forgive so and so.” Allah then said: “Who is that person swearing by Me that I will not forgive so and so? I have indeed forgiven him and render your own deeds fruitless!” (Muslim).
The fruits of worship: Worship has many praiseworthy and beneficial results, such as:
· Making the entire life of the Muslim for the sake of Allah and in His service. One of the most obvious results of worship can be noticed in the performance of prayer; Allah says(what means): “…Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing…” [Quran 29:45]
· Resulting in one leading a prosperous life, as Allah Says (what means): “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” [Quran 16:97]
· Worship is a training for the soul and the source of its satisfaction.
· Freeing the person from being enslaved to other than Allah.
· Purifying the believer.
· Reforming the community.
· Being granted victory from Allah; He Says (what means): “…And Allah will surely support those who support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. [And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give Zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah is the outcome of [all] matters.” [Quran 22:40-41]
Having possessed honour and having been worthy of the support of Allah, the Muslims then neglected Jihaad and favoured lives of comfort and relaxation over this act of worship. They, therefore, began following their vain desires, endeavouring to fulfil every one of them to the maximum, which resulted in them losing the support of Allah to become subdued, oppressed and controlled by their enemies.
· Entitling the person to the protection of Allah; Jundub bin ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “When anyone offers the Fajr (dawn) prayer, in congregation, he is under the protection of Allah.” [Muslim]
· Enabling oneself to be safeguarded and preserved by Allah; Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “Be watchful of (the commandments of) Allah and He will (therefore) preserve you.” [At-Tirmithi]
· The angels supplicate for the worshipper.
· Entitling the person to the love of Allah.
· Attaining tranquility.
· Relieving the person during times of hardship, as in the story of the three men who were trapped in a cave and received relief from Allah due to their righteous deeds.
· Elevating one's rank in Paradise.
To conclude: It has become evident that the most important and the greatest obligation for the slave of Allah to fulfill is his servitude to Allah. The core of this servitude is to perform all types of worship such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and others, sincerely and exclusively for Allah. Included in this is obeying Him in all He has commanded and refraining from all that He has prohibited. Additionally, these acts of worship must establish according to the teachings and guidelines of the Sunnah of the Prophet as adhering to the Sunnah is what leads to people's prosperity.