Summary of the concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah
The meaning of worship
Worship is the purpose for which the accountable are created.
Allah the Almighty says:
“I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.” (51:56)
And this necessitates that their entire lives be for Allah and by Allah.
As Allah the Almighty says:
"Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'" (Qur'an 6:162)
Thus, there are no worldly deeds that are separate from the Hereafter,
nor other deeds for the Hereafter to be completed outside of this worldly life.
Rather, it is a single path, its beginning in this world and its end in the Hereafter.
So, whoever worships Allah alone on this path in all his deeds,
he will reach Paradise in the Hereafter, and what a magnificent destination.
And whoever disobeys worship and abandons it on the path,
his path will lead him to Hell, may Allah protect us.
Therefore, worship has been defined in terms of what one worships with,
as a comprehensive term for everything that Allah loves and is pleased with,
from outward and inward sayings and deeds.
Worship has also been defined in terms of the worshipper's state,
as perfect love and reverence for Allah the Almighty,
along with complete humility and submission to Him, Glorified is He.
If you love Him but do not submit to Him, Glorified is He, you are not a worshipper of Him.
Likewise, if you submit to Him without love,
you are not a worshipper of Him until you are both loving and submissive.
Summary of the concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah