Why Does Worship Sometimes Feel Like a Duty, Not Love?

The feeling that worship sometimes feels more like a burdensome duty than a passionate, joyous connection with the Creator is an experience many believers encounter on their spiritual journey. This is not merely an individual challenge but has deep roots in our understanding of worship, our knowledge of God, and the quality of our presence of heart during acts of devotion. From the perspective of the Holy Quran, worship is never merely a series of dry, lifeless rituals; its essence is a profound and loving relationship with the Creator of the universe. Allah Almighty created jinn and mankind for no other purpose than to worship Him, as stated in Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 56: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." This verse indicates that the purpose of creation is a form of worship that leads humanity to divine knowledge and proximity to God, not merely the performance of a set of commands. But why does this sense of duty sometimes overshadow the feeling of love? One of the primary reasons is a lack of deep knowledge and understanding (Ma'rifah) of Allah. When a person is oblivious to the greatness, mercy, infinite knowledge, absolute power, and countless blessings of their Lord, how can they develop a burning love and yearning for Him? The Holy Quran repeatedly invites humanity to ponder upon the cosmic and internal signs (Ayat al-Afaq wal-Anfus), meaning the signs of God in the universe and within one's own self, to attain a deeper understanding. The more a person's knowledge of their Lord increases, the more their love and affection grow, transforming worship from a compulsory and mere duty into an inner light that illuminates the path. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 165, Allah states: "But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah." This intensity of love naturally awakens the motivation and fervor for worship within the heart. Another reason is heedlessness and the absence of presence of heart (Hudhur al-Qalb) during worship. Sometimes, acts of worship become mechanical habits performed without reflection on their meanings and philosophy. Prayer (Salat), fasting (Sawm), pilgrimage (Hajj), and charity (Zakat) each have profound philosophies that purify the human soul. When a person performs worship without understanding its philosophy and without paying attention to what they are saying and doing, it is natural that they do not experience its sweetness and delight. The Quran, in Surah Al-Mu'minun, verses 1 and 2, attributes the prosperity of believers to their humility (Khushu') in prayer: "Certainly will the believers prosper, who are in their prayer humbly submissive." Khushu' means the humility of the heart and the complete presence of mind and soul before God; this presence breaks down the barrier between duty and love. Furthermore, worldly attachments and immersion in materialism can also be a significant obstacle to fostering love in worship. When a person's heart is enslaved by wealth, status, fame, and fleeting worldly pleasures, there is little room left for divine love. The Quran repeatedly warns against the allure of worldly life and advises us not to become attached to it. Releasing these attachments prepares the heart to receive and cultivate divine love, transforming worship into a window for the soul's ascent. To transform worship from duty into love, practical steps must be taken. The first step is to strive for increased knowledge and understanding of Allah through studying the Quran, reflecting on divine verses, and contemplating creation. Second, practicing presence of heart and humility in acts of worship; this requires mindfulness and practice. One can strengthen this presence by understanding the meaning of supplications and verses and focusing on every word during prayer. Third, constantly recalling and thanking Allah for His countless blessings; the more one pays attention to God's favors and sees oneself indebted to His grace, the more feelings of love and gratitude will surge within. Fourth, repentance (Tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) for sins; sins are veils that prevent the heart from perceiving divine beauty. By purifying the soul, the path for divine light becomes clearer. Fifth, choosing friends and companions who are also treading the path of devotion and divine love. And finally, supplicating and imploring Allah for His grace to attain true knowledge and love. Worship born of love is not a burden on the human being; rather, it is a gushing spring of inner peace, joy, and contentment that gives meaning to life and allows the soul to soar. This is what the Holy Quran invites us to, and it is considered the path to eternal felicity.