Why don't I enjoy worship?

The feeling of not enjoying worship is a common challenge many believers face on their spiritual journey. It should not be seen as a sign of weak faith, but rather as an invitation to deeper reflection and a search for ways to strengthen one's connection with God. The Holy Quran, in numerous verses, refers to the heart, intention, remembrance, and closeness to God, each of which can be keys to finding joy and tranquility in worship. This question is, in essence, an invitation to re-evaluate the quality of our relationship with our Creator and to seek a deeper presence in moments of prayer and devotion. One of the primary reasons for the lack of enjoyment in worship can be heedlessness (ghaflah) and excessive preoccupation with worldly affairs. Allah (SWT) states in Surah Al-Munafiqun, verse 9: "O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers." This verse clearly warns that excessive attachment to worldly possessions and concerns can be a significant barrier to the remembrance of God and, consequently, to finding pleasure in worship. When the human mind and heart are immersed in material calculations, daily anxieties, and worldly attachments, there is little room left for spiritual presence and the feeling of serenity in the presence of the Lord. Worship in such a state becomes a soulless sequence of movements and words that do not originate from the depths of the soul. Another reason is the lack of a profound understanding of the philosophy and meaning of worship. Worship is not merely the performance of a set of actions and utterances; rather, it is a heartfelt connection and intimate communion with the Creator of the universe. If one does not grasp the deep meaning of "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help" (Iyyaka Na’budu wa Iyyaka Nasta’in) in prayer, and if one does not understand why they say "Glorified be my Lord, the Most High, and with His praise" (Subhana Rabbiyal A'la wa bihamdihi), then worship will become meaningless and tiring. The Holy Quran invites us to reflect and ponder (tadabbur). Surah Muhammad, verse 24, states: "Do they not then reflect on the Qur'an, or are there locks upon their hearts?" This reflection is not only necessary for the Quran but also for all acts of worship, so that a person moves beyond a mechanical state to a state of heartfelt presence and understanding. When the meaning and wisdom behind every movement and word in worship are understood, that act transforms into a light in the heart and an indescribable joy. Furthermore, being stained by sins and neglecting repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (istighfar) can create a veil between the servant and the Lord, preventing one from tasting the sweetness of worship. Sins accumulate like rust on the heart, distancing it from purity and readiness to receive divine lights. Surah Al-Mutaffifin, verse 14, states: "No! Rather, that which they used to earn has rusted upon their hearts." This rust prevents one from seeing the truth and enjoying divine proximity. Istighfar and tawbah cleanse this rust and purify the heart, paving the way for the return of heartfelt presence and spiritual joy in worship. The Quranic solution to overcoming this challenge is to return to the "remembrance of Allah" (Dhikr Allah). Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, states: "Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." This verse indicates that the remembrance of God is the root of inner peace and heartfelt joy. Dhikr is not limited to merely uttering specific words; it also includes contemplating creation, reflecting on the verses of the Quran, performing good deeds with sincere intention, and anything that reminds a person of God. When one is mindful of God in all aspects of life, their prayers and other acts of worship will also draw from this remembrance and become enjoyable. This tranquility and peace of heart is the very pleasure expected from worship. To strengthen this remembrance, one must focus on sincerity (Ikhlas) of intention. Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, says: "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 zakah. And that is the correct religion." When worship is solely and purely for the pleasure of Allah, without any worldly or spiritual expectations from anyone other than Him, then the veils are lifted, and one feels the sweetness of the Lord's presence in their heart. Sincerity is the key to entering the depth of worship and tasting its true joy. Finally, it is important to understand that the enjoyment of worship may not always be consistent in form or intensity. The spiritual path has its ups and downs. The crucial thing is to persevere and never cease striving to improve the quality of our worship. Gradually, by increasing awareness, purifying the heart, and focusing on sincerity of intention, we should move towards worship that is not merely a duty, but a true love and an inexhaustible source of peace. This journey is an inward one, whose ultimate destination is union and proximity to the Divine Truth, and the tasting of eternal joys that no worldly pleasure can ever equal.