The Inward Pillars of Devotion and Other Acts of Worship
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19/ The Inward Pillars of Devotion in the Remembrance of Allah and Other Acts of Worship

Indeed, the remembrance of Allah, Glorious and Exalted, and drawing near to Him through the righteous deeds and words He loves are accepted by Allah only when the worshipper establishes them upon three pillars: love, fear, and hope.

These three are the inward pillars of devotion, without which no act of worship is accepted. Allah, Exalted and Most High, is worshipped out of love for Him, hope for His reward, and fear of His punishment. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has brought these three pillars together in al-Fātiha, the greatest surah of the Quran. His words, Glorified is He, “All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds,” embody love, for Allah is the Bestower of blessings, and a benefactor is loved in proportion to the blessings he bestows. Moreover, praise is commendation joined with love for the One praised. His words, “The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,” embody hope, for the believer hopes for Allah’s mercy and aspires to attain it. His words, “Master of the Day of Judgment,” embody fear, for the Day of Judgment is the Day of Recompense and Reckoning.

Then He, Most High, says, “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,” meaning: “My Lord, I worship You through the three previously mentioned: love for You, hope in You, and fear of You.” These three are the pillars upon which worship—and thus the words “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help”—rests. “You alone we worship” can be established only upon the love indicated by His words, “All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds”; the hope indicated by His words, “The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful”; and the fear indicated by His words, “Master of the Day of Judgment.”1

Allah has also brought these pillars together in His words: “Those are the ones who