How do acts of worship influence our behavior? Why do many people not detect their effects on their life?
To answer these questions, let us say that the best benefits may be derived from acts of worship as follows:
First: To read the texts from the Quran and authentic Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) about the act of worship we perform.
Second: To understand these texts with the help of the books of Tafseer (exegesis) of the Noble Quranic Verses, and Hadeeth commentaries, if these are available with regard to the Sunnah or through religious scholars.
Third: To recognize the importance, significance and wisdom underlying the act of worship; and know that the greatest goal of worship is to rectify the hearts, which could not be rectified unless they submit, surrender and yield to their Creator, return (in repentance) to their Lord, and have fear and hope in their Protector. This is the way to rectitude of the heart and the happiness of the slave in this world and the Hereafter.
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah used to say, "Whoever likes to obtain eternal happiness, let him hold tight to the threshold of servitude."
Fourth: To read the biographies and study the conditions of the righteous predecessors while engaging in acts of worship, which has a great effect. It is true that one feels that the absolute ideal to follow is the Messenger of Allah, , whose biography is sufficient; however, a Muslim will increase surely in good when he reads more in this respect.
Ibn Al-Jawzi said, "A group of predecessors used to go to a righteous servant to observe his appearance and conduct rather than to receive knowledge from him. That is because the fruit of his knowledge was reflected in his conduct and appearance. So, understand that well, and let your hunt for Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and Hadeeth (narrations) be mixed with reading the biographies of the righteous predecessors and those who were abstinent in this world, which will soften your heart." [Sayd Al-Khaatir]
The point is that the one who reads the biographies of the righteous predecessors will come upon situations and incidents because of which the eyes shed tears and the heart becomes tender, and he himself will remember them when experiencing similar situations.
For example, in Hajj and other seasons of worship throughout the year, one could read Lataa’if Al-Ma‘aarif by Ibn Rajab who combined in his book both rulings and exhortations in a distinguished style.
One also may benefit from such books such as Nuzhat Al-Fudhalaa’ Fee Tahtheeb Siyar A‘laam An-Nubalaa’, whose author, may Allah grant him success, spent the last part of the third volume in categorization of the contents of Al-Mukhtasar, of the stories and news reported from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and Taabi‘is (Followers) whose names are mentioned in the original book Siyar A‘laam An-Nubalaa by Ath-Thahabi .
Fifth: To seek righteous company, as referred to by Ibn Al-Jawzi in his previous quote, including seekers of knowledge and scholars, if available, in order that one may validate his worship, and benefit from their instructions and lessons during the journey of Hajj. Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said, in his description of the Hajj of the Messenger of Allah, , "A multitude of people came to Madeenah, all of whom were seeking to follow the Messenger of Allah and do the like of his doing."
Man should not be heedless of reading books of exhortation and advice all through his life, especially in such seasons of worship as Ramadan and Hajj. If the heart becomes hard – we seek refuge with Allah from that – one will neither obtain pleasure in worship, nor benefit from advice, unless Allah wills.
To be continued …