In the name of Allah, the most gracious the most merciful. Knowing the rights of Allah is undoubtedly amongst the knowledge which has been made obligatory upon every slave of Allah. Part of this is understanding and accepting that his right, glory be upon him, must be prioritised before the rights of any of his creation.
The rights of Allah have been made clear to us throughout the Quran and Sunnah. Of the clearest explanations of Allah’s rights is that which was narrated by Muadh ibn Jabbal, May Allah be pleased with him, where he said, “I was riding behind the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) on a donkey, and he (PBUH) said: O Muadh, do you know what Allah’s right upon his slaves are and what his slave’s rights upon him are? I said, Allah and his Prophet know best, he said, Allah’s rights upon his slave are that they worship him and do not associate any partners with him, and his slave’s rights upon him is that he does not punish those who do not associate any partners with him, I asked, should I not inform the people of this good news? He (PBUH) said, do not tell them this good news for the would trust in it alone”.
Fulfilling the rights of Allah is fulfilling the purpose in which we were created. Allah tells us in the Quran “And we did not create the Jinn nor mankind except for worship (Allah alone)”. Allah also says in the Quran, “and worship Allah alone and do not partner with him anything”. After understanding that worshipping Allah is the purpose of our creation, we must then ponder over what worship is. Of the best explanations of what is considered worship is that mentioned by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, where he says, (worship is) a general term referring to anything Allah loves and is pleased with, from sayings to actions, be them apparent or hidden”.
Understanding Allah’s rights upon us will allow us to clearly understand our purpose. How many people wander through this world purposeless, feeling scared and anxious without any meaning in life. This is not the case of a Muslim who ponders the Quran, for him he lives with clarity and ease in his heart, knowing where he came from and what he is working towards. We ask Allah to make us of those whom he guides, those who know, love and are determined to fulfil their purpose in life.
Al-Bukhari 2856
Adh-Dhariyyat 56
An-Nisa’ 36