Discover the meaning of the term Al-ʿbada (عبادة) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 2 min readIt is the act of the legally obligated (mukallaf) done against the inclination of his own soul, in glorification of his Lord.
The act of the legally obligated, done against the inclination of his own soul, in glorification of his Lord. In al-Talwih: worship is an act the servant performs against the inclination of his soul, seeking God Most High's pleasure. It is of three kinds: purely bodily, like prayer and fasting; purely financial, like zakat; and combined of the two, like pilgrimage.
In language: yielding, humbleness and obedience. Al-Zajjaj said so concerning the word of the Most High: 'You alone we worship'.
The act devoted to God by free choice, in glorification of Him, by His permission.
The act of the legally obligated, done against the inclination of his own soul, in glorification of his Lord.
In language: obedience born of humbleness. In the Law: what combines the fullness of love, humbleness and fear.