Is worship for ourselves or for God?

Quranic Answer

Worship and servitude in Islam are seen as duties that humans owe to God, and this is beneficial for humans themselves as well. Indeed, worship helps to strengthen the bond between the servant and their Creator and enhances not only faith but also the soul and psyche of the individual. In the Holy Quran, Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 56 states: 'And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me,' which clearly conveys that the purpose of creating humans and jinn is to worship God. This verse indicates that worship is solely for God, but in reality, the worshippers also benefit from it. Additionally, in Surah Al-Mu'minun, verse 117, Allah explicitly points out: 'And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah,' which emphasizes the importance of a relationship with God and establishing a connection with Him. When a person engages in worship, they free themselves from worldly concerns and worries, and this is one of the greatest benefits of worship. Moreover, in Surah Ta-Ha, verse 14, we read: 'Indeed, I am Allah; there is no deity except Me, so worship Me.' This reminds the servants to devote themselves solely to God and seek His assistance. Ultimately, it can be concluded that worship fosters a connection and relationship between humans and God, while at the same time, the worshippers also reap the benefits.

Related Verses

Short Story

One day, a friend named Hamid felt an emptiness in his journey of life. He decided to go to the mosque to pray. After finishing his prayers, he felt an extraordinary sense of peace and closeness to God. He realized that worship is not only for God's pleasure but also for his own inner tranquility. From that day on, prayer and worship became an essential part of his life.