The Islamic Mode of Worship — Page 2
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 2 it necessary to first discourse on two essential matters. One objective of worship is to articulate gratitude to that holy being Who in Arabic is called All a h and in English is called God. Human beings are naturally compelled to feel gratitude towards their benefactor. According to a hadith: 3 羡 اِلَیَْا 羡羡羡 َ اَحْسَن 羡 َْ م 羡 ِّ حُب 羡 َٰ ع 羡 الْقُلُوْبُ 羡 ِ جُبِلَت The constitution of the heart compels human beings to love their benefactor. Hence, one of the most important functions of nam a z is that individuals are able to come before their Lord and affirm the favours He has bestowed on them in their own language and tongue. Besides this, worship also serves another purpose: it cleanses people of their sins and evil inclinations. Allah the Exalted does not stand in need of human adoration; the true purpose of the commandments He has imparted is to purify people, for Allah the Exalted is pure and cannot establish a relationship with that which is tainted. He desires that those who draw near to Him also be pure. All forms of worship 3 Kanzul-‘Ummal , Vol. 16, p. 115, 2012 Damascus, hadith no. 44102 [Publishers]