How to discern if an action is an act of worship?

Dear brothers and sisters, this is a profound and meaningful question that stems from our understanding of religion and life itself. In Islam, the concept of worship (Ibadah) is not merely confined to performing specific rituals like prayer (Salat), fasting (Sawm), pilgrimage (Hajj), and other formal acts. Rather, its scope is much broader, encompassing almost all aspects of human life. Essentially, any good and permissible deed that a person performs with a sincere intention solely for the pleasure of Allah can transform into an act of worship, and this is one of the most beautiful manifestations of the pure religion of Islam. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the primary condition for an ordinary act to become an act of worship is a "sincere intention" (Niyyah). The heart of any action lies in its intention. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Actions are judged by intentions, and for everyone is what he intended." If our intention in performing an action, no matter how worldly it may seem, is to seek the pleasure of Allah, then that action is transformed into worship. For instance, when an employee or worker diligently and honestly strives to earn a lawful living, with the intention of providing for their family, avoiding reliance on others, and respecting the rights of people, their work itself becomes a form of worship. However, if their sole focus is on gaining wealth without regard for what is lawful or unlawful, their work loses its spiritual dimension and is not considered worship. The Holy Quran also places great emphasis on the importance of intention and sincerity (Ikhlas). In Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, Allah states: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakat. And that is the correct religion." This verse explicitly states that the core of worship is sincerity; meaning that we should perform every action solely for Allah, without associating any partners with Him. It is this sincerity that breathes life into our actions, elevating them from mere physical movements to spiritual and devotional acts. Secondly, the action itself must be permissible (Halal) and lawful within the framework of Islamic law. That is, it must not be something that Allah has prohibited. For example, helping the oppressed is an act of worship, but stealing to help the poor can never be considered worship, because the end does not justify the means, and Allah is not pleased with unlawful acts. So, the second condition for an action to become worship is its legitimacy in Islamic Sharia. Actions such as caring for parents, raising children properly, helping neighbors, respecting the rights of others, seeking knowledge to serve humanity, and even resting and sleeping with the intention of gaining necessary energy for performing one's religious duties and responsibilities, can all be transformed into worship with the correct intention. This comprehensive perspective teaches us that every moment of our lives can be an opportunity for drawing closer to Allah, not just the times dedicated to specific rituals. Thirdly, the belief that the primary purpose of human creation is to serve and worship Allah helps us to adopt a broader perspective on worship. In Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 56, it is stated: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." This verse indicates that the ultimate purpose of our existence is the worship of Allah. When this truth takes root in our hearts and minds, we then understand that every effort to improve our own condition, our family, society, and even the entire universe, if accompanied by a divine intention, is part of the worship for which we were created. For instance, an engineer who strives to build a safe structure, if their intention is to serve Allah's creation and preserve lives, their work is an act of worship. A doctor who sincerely serves patients, with the intention of healing and helping Allah's creation, their work is worship. Even smiling at a fellow believer or removing an obstacle from people's path, with the intention of gaining Allah's pleasure, is considered an act of worship. In summary, to determine whether an action is worship, we must look at two fundamental things: First, "what is our intention" behind performing that action? Is our purpose solely to seek Allah's pleasure, or worldly desires? Second, "is the action itself" lawful and permissible? If these two conditions are met, almost any activity in daily life can be transformed into worship. This perspective imbues life with deeper meaning, fills every moment with opportunities to earn divine reward, and grants an unparalleled sense of peace, as one knows that their entire being is dedicated to serving Allah. This is a grand expansion in our understanding of our relationship with God, extending it from merely a few specific hours a day to all 24 hours and every movement and stillness of our lives.