Many of us find ourselves caught in a cycle when it comes to our relationship with Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). We make du'a fervently, asking for specific outcomes—be it success in an exam, a job opportunity, or relief from hardship. When these prayers are answered, we feel joy and gratitude. But what happens when they aren’t? Disappointment often takes root, and for some, it leads to neglecting prayer altogether. This reaction, while understandable, points to a deeper misunderstanding of what 'ibadah (عبادة) truly means. Worship is not merely a means to an end; it is an act of submission and recognition of Allah’s greatness. True pleasure in worship arises when we pray not because we seek specific outcomes, but because Allah is deserving of worship, irrespective of our personal circumstances. Worship: A Divine Covenant Our relationship with Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) is not a casual one. It is rooted in a covenant we made on the Day of Alastu (ألست). Allah reminds us in the Quran: وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمۡ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمۡ وَأَشۡهَدَهُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ أَلَسۡتُ بِرَبِّكُمۡۖ قَالُواْ بَلَىٰ شَهِدۡنَآۛ "And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam, from their loins, their descendants, and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], 'Am I not your Lord?' They said, 'Yes, we have testified.'”(Surah Al-A’raf: 172) This agreement is a reminder that our primary purpose in life is to worship Allah, as He says: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."(Surah Adh-Dhariyat: 56) When we fulfill this covenant with sincerity, we unlock the true essence of 'ibadah—worshiping Allah for who He is, not for what we want from Him. The Parable of the Employee To better understand our duty to Allah, consider the example of an employee. When hired, the employee agrees to fulfill specific tasks as outlined in their contract. They cannot arbitrarily refuse to work while still expecting their salary. Similarly, we are bound by our divine contract with Allah. By His mercy, He gives us countless blessings, sustenance, and opportunities. How then can we withhold worship from Him? Just as an employee has responsibilities, we have a responsibility to worship Allah, acknowledging that this is our very purpose in existence. Balancing Hope and Fear Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has guided us to approach Him with both hope (طمع) and fear (خوف). He says: ادۡعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمۡ تَضَرُّعًۭا وَخُفۡيَةًۭۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدِينَ"Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors."(Surah Al-A’raf: 55) It is natural and permissible to ask Allah for both worldly and eternal rewards. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself encouraged us to make du'a for all matters, big and small. However, we must be cautious not to make our worship conditional upon the fulfillment of our desires. When we do this, we risk losing the deeper connection and the true joy that comes from worshiping Allah. Worshiping Without Conditions The purest form of 'ibadah is one done unconditionally. Consider this: when you pray to Allah only for His sake, you experience a peace and contentment that transcends worldly concerns. Allah promises: ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطۡمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۗ أَلَا بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَئِنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ"Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."(Surah Ar-Ra’d: 28) This assurance and tranquility come when we stand before Allah, submitting to Him entirely, without expecting anything in return. It is in these moments of unconditional worship that the true sweetness of faith (حلاوة الإيمان) is experienced. Practical Steps to Develop Sincere Worship Renew Your Intention (نيّة): Regularly remind yourself that your worship is for Allah alone, not for any worldly gain. Reflect on Allah’s Greatness: Meditate on His attributes, such as Al-Rahman (The Most Merciful), Al-Malik (The King), and Al-Khaliq (The Creator), to deepen your connection. Gratitude in Every State: Whether your du'a is answered or not, express gratitude for the countless blessings you already have. Study the Lives of the Prophets and Salaf: Their stories inspire us to remain steadfast in worship despite trials and challenges. Seek Knowledge: Understanding the meanings behind the words of prayer enhances the experience of worship. Conclusion Worship is not about bargaining with Allah but about fulfilling our purpose as His creation. When we shift our mindset from conditional prayers to unconditional devotion, we unlock the profound beauty of 'ibadah. Remember the covenant we made with Allah, and strive to worship Him as He deserves, for He is worthy of all praise and gratitude. May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) guide us to worship Him with sincerity and steadfastness, and may He bless us with the sweetness of faith. Ameen. وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ
