10 Seen and 10 Unseen Acts of Worships
Asalamu’alaikum,
During our evening classes on Tawheed (adults and kids were all welcome) at Islamic Society of Vaughan with Imam Ashur, he asked us to write a list of ten seen and ten unseen acts of Worship in Islam, Alhamdulillah. This was a very interesting assignment that made us think and made for some great discussions around our house! This is what my Sister, Ivanna, and I came up with!
SEEN ACTS OF WORSHIP
- Salah: “Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” (Quran 29:45)
- Du’a: “And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” (Quran 2:186)
- Sawm: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Quran 2:183)
- Hajj: “Once you have fulfilled your modes of worship in Hajj, recite the name of Allah, as you would speak of your forefathers or even with greater fervour. Now among the people there is one who says: “Our Lord, give to us in this world…” and he has no share in the Hereafter”. (Quran 2:200)
- Zakat + Sadaqah: “And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and whatever of good (deeds that Allah loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allah. Certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what you do.” (Quran 2:110)
- Reciting Quran/ Gaining Knowledge: “Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran, 96:1-5)
- Nasihah – Giving Sincere Good Advice: “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.” (Quran 3:110)
- Dawah- Inviting to Islam: “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.” (Quran 16:125)
- Akhlaaq- Kindness to Family, Neighbours and Animals: “Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good.” (Quran 3:134)
- Modesty/Shyness: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! God is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their chests, and not to reveal their adornment.” (Quran 24:30)
UNSEEN ACTS OF WORSHIP
- Iman- True Faith: “Those who believe (have Iman) and do not mix up their faith with iniquity, those are they who shall have the security (in this world and the next) and they are those who go aright.” (Quran 7:27)
- Iklaas/ Sincerity to Allah: Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One,
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born,
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
(Surah Iklas, Quran 112) - Islam-Submission and Humility and Obedience to Allah: “Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah ]. And he was not of the polytheists. (Quran 3:67)
- Taqwa – Fearing Allah (SWT) and God Consciousness: “Those only are believers whose hearts become full of fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His communications are recited to them they increase them in faith, and in their Lord do they trust. Those who keep up prayer and spend (benevolently) out of what We have given them. These are the believers in truth; they shall have from their Lord exalted grades (various levels) and forgiveness and an honourable sustenance.” (Quran 8:2-4)
- True Love of Allah and His Messenger (SAW): “Say: If you should love Allah, then follow me. Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for Allah is forgiving and merciful.” (Quran 3:31)
- Intentions for Deeds: Say, [O Muhammad], “Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion. (Quran 39:11)
- Sincerity to the People: “None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbor what he loves for himself.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Haya even when we are alone (e.g. with technology/media): “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! God is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their chests, and not to reveal their adornment.” (Quran 24:30)
- Controlling your Nafs (Desires): “The one who strives in Jihad is he who strives against his own soul.” (The Prophet SAW) (Musnad Ahmad 23445)
- Sincere Tawba/ Remorse and Repentance for Sins: “Verily God loves the repentant…” (Quran 2:222)