What are the benefits of worshiping Allah the Almighty and Exalted?
Man, by nature, cannot recognize his own self, relish peacefulness of the soul, nor can his heart be reassured except by worshiping Allah. {Those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah, for indeed in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility.} [Surat ar-Ra’d: 28]
Worship gives tranquility to the soul: {We know that you are distressed by what they say. Glorify your Lord with praise and be among those who prostrate [to Him], and worship your Lord} [Surat al-Hijr: 97-98]. Worship your Lord so that your heart is reassured.
That is why offering two rak’ahs with devotion and submissiveness does to the human soul what hours of psychological calming sessions fail to do. Verily, worship inspires tranquility to the human soul, and anyone who is distant from the remembrance of Allah suffers restlessness. You will find him always longing for worldly gains, yet he is neither satiated nor reassured. {But whoever turns away from My Reminder will have a miserable life} [Surat Taha: 124]. No matter how well-off a person may be, without faith, he will have a life of distress, and he will engage in an unending frantic race with the unknown.
No matter how well-off a person may be, without faith, he will have a life of distress, and he will engage in an unending frantic race with the unknown. You will always see him anxious.
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever is focused only on the worldly life, Allah will confound his affairs and make him fear poverty constantly, and he will not get anything of this world except that which has been decreed for him. But whoever is focused on the Hereafter, Allah will settle his affairs for him and make his heart rich, and worldly gains will come to him in subjection.”
Worship liberates a Muslim from submission to the worldly life and makes him free. Therefore, a Muslim who truly worships Allah is a person who understands the meaning of life, the value of this world, the purpose of his existence in this world, and understands that he is in this world to be tested and to worship his Lord as due, and not to live in anxiety uselessly.
Our Lord, the Almighty, said: {It is He Who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds} [Surat al-Mulk: 2].
What are the manifestations of submission to Allah Almighty?
The Four Signs of Submission to Allah Almighty
First Sign: Complete Servitude to Allah
Showing servitude to Allah in every small or big matter in your life is a primary sign of submission.
Allah Almighty said:
[Surat Al-An’ām: 162-163]
A Muslim dedicates every act, be it prayer, obedience to parents, study, or even rest, to seeking Allah’s pleasure. Every deed becomes an act of servitude, reflecting the submission of one’s life to Allah.
Second Sign: Compliance with Allah’s Commands
Full submission entails adhering to Allah’s commands and avoiding what He has forbidden. Allah, the Exalted, says:
[Surat al-Anfal: 20]
He also says: {O you who believe, enter into Islam completely.}
[Surat al-Baqarah: 208]
To enter Islam completely is to comply with all that Allah has ordained and refrain from what He has prohibited. Submission involves carrying out Allah’s commandments and avoiding prohibitions without hesitation or selectiveness.
Third Sign: Acceptance of Allah’s Judgment
Submission to Allah requires willingly accepting His laws and judgments. This includes embracing divine legislation with conviction and recognizing that Allah knows what is best for His creation. Allah says:
{Does He not know His Own creation, when He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware?}
[Surat Al-Mulk: 14]
And: {Who could be better than Allah in judgment?}
[Surah Al-Mā’idah: 50]
An incident mentioned in the Quran illustrates this principle. A man, claiming to be a believer, sought judgment from a Jew instead of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) because he feared the Prophet’s ruling might not favor him. Allah revealed:
[Surat an-Nis: 60]
True submission means accepting Allah’s rulings, even when they conflict with personal desires. Allah confirms:
{But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they accept you [O Prophet] as judge in their disputes and find no discomfort within their hearts about your judgments but accept them wholeheartedly.}
[Surat an-Nis: 65]
Fourth Sign: Acceptance of Predestination
Submission also includes acceptance of Allah’s decrees, whether good or bad. Everything happens by Allah’s wisdom and predestination. A submissive Muslim shows gratitude in times of ease and patience during trials.
If blessed with good sustenance, health, or success, one should be thankful to Allah. In times of illness, poverty, or distress, patience and reliance on Allah are essential.
Allah Almighty says:{Indeed, We have created everything according to a determined measure.}
[Surat al-Qamar: 49]
And:
{Say, nothing will ever befall us except that which Allah has decreed for us.}
[Surat at-Tawbah: 51]
Allah controls every detail of life, from the movements of atoms to the lifespan of every soul. Submission to Allah includes trusting His wisdom in all matters:
{He has created everything and measured it precisely.}
[Surat Al-Furqan: 2]
Allah Almighty created all things and predestined everything. Whatever He has willed did happen, and whatever He has not willed never happened.
Being a Muslim, I am required to willingly accept all that is decreed by Allah Almighty. In this way, one becomes a Muslim submitting to Allah.
Finally, how can I embrace Islam?