Ways to Attain the Sweetness of Worship: Self-Purification and the Life Perspective of a True Believer
The ultimate success of human life depends on faith (iman), worship (ibadah), and obedience to Allah. To truly experience the sweetness of faith and find tranquility in worship, one must first purify the soul. Just as the true taste of a drink cannot be enjoyed if it is placed in a dirty container, the sweetness of that drink can only be fully experienced when the container is clean. In the same way, a heart that is polluted by sins, mistakes, and the temptations of the lower self cannot experience the true sweetness of faith. Therefore, to taste the beauty of īmān, the heart must be purified from sin.
In the Qur’an, Allah warns that if someone accepts part of the Book of Allah but rejects another part, humiliation awaits them in this worldly life and severe punishment in the Hereafter. They have exchanged the life of the Hereafter for the life of this world; therefore, their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be helped (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:85–86).
Naturally, people tend to follow what they love. The deeper the love, the stronger the obedience. When love for Allah increases, the sweetness of worship also grows, bringing peace and harmony to both personal and social life. For this reason, the Qur’an and Hadith mention several actions that cultivate the sweetness of worship in the heart and help a person attain closeness to Allah.
First, competing in good deeds is one of the defining qualities of a believer. Allah says: “Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width is like that of the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:21).
This command implies performing righteous deeds promptly and striving sincerely for Allah’s forgiveness. Similarly, hastening toward good deeds is another important trait of believers. Allah says: “Hasten toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise prepared for the righteous” (Surah Aal-Imran 3:133).
For this reason, performing the prayer at its proper time is considered one of the best deeds, and when the call to Friday prayer is made, believers are instructed to proceed quickly to the mosque (Surah Al-Jumu‘ah 62:9).
The noble companions (Sahabah) used to compete with one another in charity and in striving in the path of Allah. Their example demonstrates how believers should strive to excel in righteous deeds. Enduring hardship in the path of righteousness is also a significant way to attain the sweetness of worship. Allah says: “Indeed, with hardship comes ease. So when you are free, devote yourself to worship and turn your longing toward your Lord” (Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5–8).
Completing ablution thoroughly even in difficulty, attending the congregational prayers of ‘Isha and Fajr, performing Tahajjud in the last part of the night, and spending in the path of Allah in times of both ease and hardship are all highly virtuous deeds. Allah promises guidance to those who strive in His cause: “And those who strive for Us—We will surely guide them to Our ways” (Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:69).
Alongside obligatory acts of worship, increasing voluntary (nafl) acts of worship is also a major means of attaining closeness to Allah. Allah instructed His Prophet to stand in prayer during a portion of the night (Surah Al-Isra 17:79). The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam also narrated that a servant continues to draw nearer to Allah through voluntary acts of worship until Allah loves him (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6502).
Reflecting upon the Qur’an is essential for spiritual development. Allah states that the Qur’an is a healing for the believers (Surah Al-Isra 17:82). He also asks: “Do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon their hearts?” (Surah Muhammad 47:24). Reading the Qur’an with understanding and internalizing its message deepens the sweetness of worship.
Avoiding not only sin but also the paths that lead to sin is equally important. In many places, Allah forbids approaching sinful acts. For example, He says: “Do not approach indecency, whether openly or secretly” (Surah Al-An‘am 6:151). This command teaches believers to stay away from all means and circumstances that may lead to sin.
Another characteristic of successful believers is avoiding useless talk and actions. Allah says: “Successful indeed are the believers… those who turn away from vain talk” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:3). He also says that they do not bear false witness and when they encounter idle talk, they pass by it with dignity (Surah Al-Furqan 25:72).
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: “Part of the perfection of a person’s Islam is leaving what does not concern him” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2317).
Spending in the path of Allah is another major responsibility of believers. Allah says: “Spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195). He also says: “Who is it that will lend Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times?” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:245). Those who dedicate themselves to seeking Allah’s pleasure receive special favor from Him (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:207).
Avoiding arrogance in worship is also extremely important. The angels worship Allah day and night and never become arrogant (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:206). In contrast, Allah warns that those who show arrogance toward His worship will enter Hell in humiliation (Surah Ghafir 40:60).
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: “Actions are judged by intentions” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1). One of the qualities of believers is that they strive to excel in good deeds. Allah says: “They hasten to do good deeds and compete in them” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:61).
The Prophet ﷺ also said that if people truly knew the reward of giving the adhan and standing in the first row of prayer, they would even draw lots for it (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 615; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 437).
A believer’s life remains filled with the remembrance of Allah at all times. Reciting the prescribed supplications at different moments of daily life and consciously remembering Allah are essential for spiritual growth.
The ultimate purpose of worship is to attain the pleasure of Allah. Allah says: “Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds” (Surah Al-An‘am 6:162).
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah defined worship as a comprehensive term that includes every statement and action—whether outward or inward—that Allah loves and is pleased with.
Human beings must realize the true purpose of their lives and strive to change their condition. Allah says: “And that man will have nothing except what he strives for” (Surah An-Najm 53:39). He also says: “Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves” (Surah Ar-Ra‘d 13:11).
Once a man asked the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam: “Who is the best believer?” He replied: “The one with the best character.” When asked, “Who is the most intelligent believer?” he replied: “The one who remembers death the most and prepares best for what comes after it” (Ibn Majah, Hadith 4259).
Therefore, a true Muslim seeks Allah’s pleasure in every action, obeys His commands, avoids His prohibitions, repents from sins, and competes in righteous deeds. Every aspect of his life becomes devoted to the worship of Allah. He remains constantly aware that Allah sees and hears everything. With this awareness, he worships Allah as though he sees Him; and even if he cannot see Him, he knows that Allah certainly sees him.