The shaykh—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked about the words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic:

“O mankind, worship your Lord.”

What is worship, and what are its branches? Does it encompass the whole religion or not? What is the true nature of servitude to Allah? Is it the highest spiritual station in this world and the Hereafter, or is there any station above it? Please explain this to us in detail.

He replied:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds.

“Worship” is a comprehensive term for everything Allah loves and is pleased with, whether words or deeds, inward or outward. Thus, prayer, zakat, fasting, pilgrimage, truthful speech, fulfilling trusts, dutifulness to parents, maintaining ties of kinship, honouring covenants, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, striving against the disbelievers and hypocrites, kindness to neighbours, orphans, the needy, travellers, and the slaves and animals one owns, supplication, remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Quran, and similar acts are all forms of worship.

Likewise, love for Allah and His Messenger, reverent fear of Allah, turning to Him in repentance, sincere devotion to Him alone, patiently submitting to His judgement, gratitude for His blessings, contentment with His decree, and reliance upon Him;