Worship:1 Worship usually refers to specific acts of religious praise, honour, or devotion, typically directed to a supernatural being such

as God, a god or goddess. Worship is an indispensable part of all religions. In some religions worship is a means to develop in man the attitude of harshness and isolation from life. Religious worship may be performed individually, in informally organized groups, or as part of an organized service with a designated leader (as in a church, synagogue, temple, or mosque).Typical acts of worship include: 1. Prayer 2. Rituals 3. Festivals 4. Sacrifice 5. The creation of idols Islamic Concept of Worship: Have you not pondered that it is Allh Whose praises celebrate those who are in the heavens and on the earth, and the birds on the wings. Each one of them knows his own (way of) prayer and glorification (according to his or its own faculties). And Allh knows well what they do. (24:41-42) The Prophet (PBUH) told us about worship, that it "is made up of sixty and some branches: the highest of which is the belief in the Oneness of Allah (that is, there is no god but Allah) and the lowest in the scale of worship is removing obstacles and dirt from people's way." In Islam, the concept of worship is related to its fundamental view that the true foundations of a good life are soundness of belief and thinking, purity of soul, and righteousness of action. Through Tawheed, or the belief in the oneness of God , Islam seeks to cleanse human intellect of the filth of idolatry and superstitious conceptions. Islam looks at the individual as a whole. He is required to submit himself completely to Allah, as the Qur'an instructed the Prophet Muhammad to do: Say (O Muhammad) my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death belong to Allah; He has no partner and I am ordered to be among those who submit (Muslims). (6:162-163) The natural result of this submission is that all of one's activities should conform to the instructions of the one to whom the person is submitting. Islam, being a way of life, requires that its followers model their life according to its teachings in every aspect, religious or otherwise. This might sound strange to some people who think of religion as a personal relationship between the individual and God, having no impact on one's activities and outside rituals.

Scope Of Worship In Islam : As a matter of fact Islam does not think much of mere rituals when they are performed mechanically and have no influence on one's inner life. The Qur'an addresses the believers and their neighbors from among the People of the Book who were arguing with them about the change of the direction of the Qibla in the following verse: It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and gives his beloved money to his relatives and the orphans and the needy and for the ransoming of captives; and who observes prayer and pays the poor-due; and those who fulfil their promises when they have made one (2:177) The deeds in the above verse are the deeds of righteousness and they are only a part of worship.
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Ghulam Sarwar , Islam: Beleifs and teachings , Dawah Academy , November 92 , pg 15 Thomas A.K , A Comparative Study of Religions , 2000 , 1st edition. Pg 32 www.wikipedia.org Quran surrah an-noor verse 41-42 and surah Al-anaam verse 162-163 Ghulam Sarwar , Islam: Beleifs and teachings , Dawah Academy , November 92 , pg 40 Quranic Surah Al-Baqara verse 177

Decent work is considered in Islam a type of worship. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever finds himself at the nightfall tired of his work, God will forgive his sins." Seeking knowledge is one of the highest types of worship. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Seeking knowledge for one hour is better than praying for seventy years." Social courtesy and cooperation are part of worship when done for the sake of Allah as the Prophet told us: "Receiving your friend with a smile is a type of charity, helping a person to load his animal is a charity and putting some water in your neighbor's bucket is a charity." It is worth noting that even performing one's duties is considered a sort of worship. The Prophet (PBUH) told us that whatever one spends for his family is a type of charity; he will be rewarded for it if he acquires it through legal means. Not only this, but even the acts we enjoy doing very much are considered worship when they are performed according to the instructions of the Prophet (PBUH). He told his companions that they will be rewarded even for having sexual intercourse with their wives. The companions were astonished and asked, "How are we going to be rewarded for doing something we enjoy very much?" The Prophet (PBUH) asked them, "Suppose you satisfy your desires illegally; don't you think you will be punished for that?" They replied, "Yes." "So," he said, "by satisfying it legally with your wives, you are rewarded for it." This means they are acts of worship. Ritualistic Worship in Islam: Actually ritual worship, if performed in true spirit, elevates man morally and spiritually and enables him to carry on his activities in all walks of life according to the Guidance of God. Among ritual worships, Salah (ritual prayer) occupies the key position for two reasons. Firstly, it is the distinctive mark of a believer. Secondly, it prevents an individual from all sorts of abominations and vices by providing him chances of direct communion with his Creator five times a day, wherein he renews his covenant with God and seeks His guidance again and again: You alone we worship and to You alone we turn for help. (1:5,6) Actually Salah is the first practical manifestation of Faith and also the foremost of the basis conditions for the success of the believers: The same fact has been emphasized by the Prophet (PBUH) in a different way. He says: "Those who offer their Salah with great care, will find it a light, a proof of their Faith and cause of their salvation on the Day of Judgment." After Salah, Zakah (poor-due) is an important pillar of Islam. In the Quran, Salah and Zakah mostly have been mentioned together many times. Like Salah, Zakah is a manifestation of faith that affirms that God is the sole owner of everything in the universe, and what men hold is a trust in their hand over which God made them trustees to discharge it as He has laid down: "Believe in Allah and His messenger and spend of that over which He made you trustees." (57:7) Siyam (fasting during the day time of the month of Ramadan) is another pillar of Islam. The main function of fasting is to make the Muslim pure from "within" as other aspects of Shariah make him pure from "without." By such purity he responds to what is true and good and shuns what is false and evil. This is what we can perceive in the Quranic verse: "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may gain piety." (2:183) Fasting, then, awakens the conscience of the individual and gives it scope for exercise in a joint experience for all society at the same time, thus adding further strength to each individual. Moreover, It makes him realize the suffering of others, the less fortunate brothers in Islam,and thus promotes in him a sense of sympathy and kindness to them. Lastly, we come to Al-Hajj . This very important pillar of Islam manifests a unique unity, dispelling all kinds of differences.Muslims from all corners of the world wearing the same dress, respond to the call of Hajj in one voice and language; LABBAIK ALLAHUMMA LABBAIK (Here I am at your service O Lord!). In Hajj there is an exercise of strict self-discipline and control where not only sacred things are revered, but even the life of plants and birds is made inviolable so that everything lives in safety .The time and venue of this congress has been set by their One God. Invitation to attend is open to every Muslim. No one has the power to bar anyone. Every Muslim

who attends is guaranteed full safety and freedom as long as he himself does not violate its safety.
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Quranic Concept of Worship : The Quranic concept of worship is quite different from that described earlier.According to Quran each and every creature,living and non-living ,is worshiping Allah in its own way.Worship according to Quran is a decree of the creator which cannot be denied . The seven heavens, the earth and all those inhabiting them extol His glory. In fact, there is not even a single thing but glorifies Him with His true and perfect praise, but you do not understand their glorification. Verily, Most Forbearing is He, Great Protector. (17:44) When we make use of our power of reflection and profess that He is Incomparable and that He stands High above any similarity with His creatures, we are full of bewilderment. Accordingly, the worship is inherent to the created things and there is no need for it to be prescribed. Have you not considered that whoever is in the heavens and on the earth, and the sun, the moon and the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of mankind make obeisance to Allh (22:18) Allah says in Quran whichsoever way you turn,there you will find His "Face" and His attention (2:115). "Cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques are the places where Allh's name is being mentioned" (22:40). Thus He is worshipped in every object of worship and in every place of worship, no matter to what religious grouping one belongs. WORSHIP IN HINDUISM: Before we discuss the concept of worship in Hinduism first lets talk about the history of Hindusim: THE HISTORY OF HINDUISM: Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of the world. The European historians of early 20th Century grudgingly accepted the period around 2500 B.C. But many present day scholars, especially from India, do not agree with this opinion. Hinduism can be better estimated from the astronomical evidence available in the Hindu Scriptures. These evidences suggest that the Hinduism has a long and checkered history of at least 6,000 years or more. Hinduism is not a religion, but a set of beliefs, rites, ceremonies, customs, traditions and cultures, which have evolved over a period of time in the valley of river Sindh. It is only a way of life, based upon a local group of religious movements evolved in the Indian subcontinent over a vast period of time. It is not based upon a single scripture. No definition of Hinduism truly justifies the true meaning and significance of Hinduism. Murti or Idol worship was added by Pundits & Brahmins. Now, it is for Hindu scholar's to think, as to where they stand. MEANINGS OF HINDU: The word Hindu is not a religious word. It is secular in origin. It has been derived from the word Indo, Sindhu, which is the name of a major river that flows in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. The ancient Greeks and Armenians used to refer the people living beyond the river Sindhu as Hindus and gradually the name struck. After centuries the Aryans came down, and where they started living, they named the place Aryavart and long afterwards it was named as Bhartvarsh. When the Muslims came to the subcontinent they called the people living in the region as Hindustanis to distinguish them from the foreign Muslims. Subsequently when the British established their rule, they started calling the local religions collectively under the name of
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Esposito.J.L , What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam , 2002 , 1st edition , pg 47 Quranic surah Al-Fatiha verse 5-6 ,surah Al-Baqara verse 183 , Al-Hadid verse 7 www.understaningislam.com

Hinduism. So whosoever was living across the Sindhu was called Indu & now Hindu whether Muslim, Christian etc. It is interesting to note that the word is neither Sanskrit nor Dravidian and did not originate in India. The word Hindu is also not mentioned in Hindu Scriptures. If, we go by the original definition of the word Hindu, any one who lives in the subcontinent is generally a Hindu, whatever religion he or she practices. It took the shape of an "Ism" lately, by Pundits and Brahmins. The rites, sects and ceremonies prevailing in the valley of River Sind were named as Hinduism. It means Hinduism in itself is nothing. It is a formulation and manipulation of Pundits and Brahmins and not of any Avtar or God. THE VEDAS: The VEDAS are divided into four books: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sam Veda and Atharva Veda. Of these, the first three books are considered the more ancient books, and the Rig Veda is the oldest of them. Swami Daya Nand, founder of the Arya Samaj, holds the opinion that the Vedas were revealed 1.3 billion years ago, while others scholars hold the opinion that they are not more than four thousand years old. CONCEPT OF WORSHIP IN HINDUSIM: Now a day in Hinduism it is a common practice to worship many gods. Hindus have created many gods and they also have created many kind of rituals but if we look in the history of Hinduism we will come to know that basically the teachings of Hinduism say to worship one God. * Hindu Scriptures: "I am the goal of life, the LORD and support of all, the inner witness, the abode of all. I am the only refuge, the ONE true friend; I am the beginning, the staying, and the end of creation; I am the womb and the eternal seed. I am heat; I give and withhold the rain. I am immortality and I am death; I am what is and what is not"[Bhagavad-Gita 9:18-19] * Hindu Scriptures: "O friends, do not worship ANYBODY but Him, the Divine One. Praise Him ALONE."[Rig-Veda 8:1:1] * Hindu Scriptures: "He is ONE ONLY without a second." [Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1]* Hindu Scriptures: "There is only ONE God, not the second; not at all, not at all, not in the least bit."[Brahma Sutra] DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MUSLIM AND HINDU CONCEPT OF WORSHIP: The difference between Muslim and Hindu belief is the perception of God. The common Hindu consider everything as God like tree, sun, moon, snake and even human beings as manifestation of God. On the contrary, Muslim believe, that everything is God's. In other words everything belongs to God, like tree, sun, moon, snake, human beings and everything in this universe belongs to God. So the main difference between Hindu and Muslim beliefs is that Hindu says everything is God and Muslim says everything is God's. The common Hindu belief in multiple gods while learned Hindus, who are well versed in their scriptures, insist that a Hindu should believe in and worship only one God.
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SIMILARITIES OF WORSHIP BETWEEN ISLAM AND HINDUSIM:

Besides the differences there are many similarities in the Islamic and Hindu concept of worship. Lets talk about them briefly:

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One of the types of Prayers in Hinduism is Shashtang There are various different types of prayers and modes of worship in Hinduism. One of the types is shashtang. The word shashtang is made up of Sa and Asht which means eight and Ang which means parts of the body. Thus, shastang is a mode of worship touching eight parts of the body. The best way a person can do this is like Muslims who prostrate in their Salaah touching their forehead, nose, two hands, two knees, and two feet. Zakat: a. Zakaat Means Purification And Growth Zakaat is the third pillar of Islam, which means purification and growth. b. 2.5% In Charity Every rich Muslim who has a saving which is more than the minimum level called Nisaab which is 85 gms of gold, should give 2.5% of his excess wealth in charity every lunar year. c. If All Rich Give Zakat No One Will Die Of Hunger If every rich human being gives Zakaat, then poverty will be eradicated from this world. There will not be a single human being who will die of hunger. d. Zakat Ensures That Wealth Does Not Circulate Only Amongst The Rich One of the reasons for Zakaat is mentioned in Surah Al-Hashr In order that the wealth may not (merely) circulate amongst the wealthy ....(Al Quran 59:7) E. Charity In Hinduism: Charity is also prescribed in Hinduism. i. In Rigved Bk. 10 hymn 117 verse 5 Let the rich satisfy the poor implorer, and bend his eyes upon a longer pathway. Richest come now to one, now to another, and like the wheels of cars are ever rolling. (Translation by Ralph Griffith) If it is expected of every rich man to satisfy the poor implorer; let the rich person have a distant vision (for a rich of today may not remain rich tomorrow). Remember that riches revolve from one man to another, as revolve the wheels of a chariot. (Translation by Satyaprakash Sarasvati & Satyakam Vidhya Lankar) (Rigved 10:117:5)

ii. Charity has been prescribed in Bhagvad Gita in several places including: Chapter 17 verse 20 and Chapter 16 verse 3 Fasting in Hinduism: There are different types and methods of fasting in Hinduism. According to Manusmriti Chapter 6 verse 24 Fasting has been prescribed for a month for purification. (Manusmriti edited by Dr. R. N. Sharma) Fasting has also been prescribed in: Manusmriti chapter 4 verse 222, Manusmriti chapter 11 verse 204.

Pilgrimage in Hinduism: There are various places of pilgrimage in Hinduism. One of the sacred places mentioned in Rigved, Bk. 3 hymn 29 verse 4 is Ilayspad, which is situated at Nabha prathvi. Ila means God or Allah, and spad means place, therefore Ilaspad means place of God. Nabha means center and prathvi mean earth. Thus this verse of the Veda prescribes pilgrimage to a place of God situated at the center of the earth. Sanskrit-English dictionary by M. Monier Williams (Edition 2002) states that Ilaspad is Name of a Tirtha i.e. place of Pilgrimage however its location is not known. According to the Quran: The first House (of worship) Appointed for men Was that at Bakka Full of blessing and of guidance For all kinds of beings. (Al Quran 3:96) Bacca is another name for Makkah and we know today that Makkah is situated at the center of the earth. Later after seven verses i.e. Rigved Bk. 3 hymn 29 verse 11 Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) is mentioned as Narashansa.Thus we can conclude that this Ilayspad, place of pilgrimage mentioned in Rigved is Makkah.Makkah is also mentioned as Ilaspad i.e. Allahs holy place in Rigved Book 1 hymn 128 verse 1 Prohibition of Alcohol a. It is mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al Maidah: O Ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling (Dedication of) stones, And (divination by) arrows, Are an abomination Of Satans handiwork; Eschew such (abomination), That ye may prosper.(Al Quran 5:90) b. It is mentioned in i.Manu Smriti Chapter 9, verse 235: A priest-killer, a liquor drinker, a thief and a violator of his gurus marriage bed - all of these, and each separately, should be known as men who committed major crime. (Manu Smriti 9:235) Further after two verses it is mentioned in: ii.Manu Smriti These miserable men - whom no one should eat with, no one should sacrifice for, no one should read to, and no one should marry - must wander the earth excommunicated from all religions. (Manu Smriti 9:238) A similar message is repeated in: iii.Manu Smriti Chapter 11 verse 55: Killing a priest, drinking liquor, stealing, violating a/the gurus marriage bed, and associating with those (who commit these acts) are called the major crimes. (Manu Smriti 11:55)

It is mentioned in iv.Manu Smriti Chapter 11 verse 94 For liquor is the defiling dirt excreted from rice, and dirt is said to be evil; therefore a priest, ruler, or commoner should not drink liquor. (Manu Smriti 11:94) c. Intoxicants / Intoxicating drinks are prohibited in several other verses of Manu Smriti including: i.Manu Smriti Chapter 11 verse 151 ii.Manu Smriti Chapter 7 verses 47-50 iii.Manu Smriti Chapter 9 verse 225 iv.Manu Smriti Chapter 12 verse 45 v.Manu Smriti Chapter 3 verse 159 vi.Rigved Book 8 hymn 2 verse 12 vii.Rigved Book 8 hymn 21 verse 14 Prohibition of Gambling As mentioned earlier, the Glorious Quran prohibits gambling in Surah Al Maidah Chapter 5 verse 90: a.Gambling is also prohibited in the Hindu Scriptures in Rig-Veda Book Book 10 Hymn 34 Verse 3: A Gamester / gambler says, My wife holds me aloof, my mother hates me. The wretched man finds none to comfort him." (Rig-Veda 10:34:3) It is further advised in Rig-Veda Play not with dice: No, cultivate thy corn land. Enjoy the gain and deem that wealth sufficient. (Rigved 10:34:13) It is mentioned in ii.Manu Smriti Chapter 7 verse 50 Drinking, gambling, women (not lawfully wedded wives) and hunting, in that order, he should know to be the very worst four in the group of (vices) born of desire (Manu Smriti 7:50) b.Gambling is also prohibited in several verses of i.Manu Smriti including ii.Manu Smriti Chapter 7 Verse 47 iii.Manu Smriti Chapter 9 Verses 221-228 iv.Manu Smriti Chapter 9 Verse 258
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SIMILARITIES BETWEEN QURANIC VERSES AND VEDIC VERSES

There are several verses in the Veda which have a meaning similar to that of Quranic verses: 1. Surah Fatiha a. It is mentioned in Surah Al Fatiha Praise be to Allah The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds. (Al Quran 1:2)

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A similar verse is mentioned in Rigved: Verily, Great is the Glory of the Divine Creator. (Rigved 5:81:1) b. Most Gracious, Most Merciful (Al Quran 1:3) A similar verse is mentioned in Rigved Book: The Bounteous Giver. (Rigved 3:34:1) c. Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, Those whose (Portion) Is not Wrath, And who go not astray.(Al Quran 1:6-7) A similar verse is mentioned in Yajurved chapter 40 verse 16 (Y.V. 40:16) Lead us to the good path and remove the sin that makes us stray and wander. (Yajurved 40:16) A similar message is given in Rigveda book 1 hymn 189 verse 1, 2 (R.V. 1:189:1, 2) 3. SURAH MAUN It is mentioned in Surah Al Maun 1. Seest thou one Who denies the Judgement (To come)? 2. Then such is the (man) Who repulses the orphan (With harshness). 3. And encourages not The feeding of the indigent. (Al Quran 107:1-3) A similar verse is given in Rig-Veda The man with food in store who, when the needy comes in miserable ease begging for bread to eat, hardens his heart against him even when of old did him service finds not one to comfort him." (Rigved 10:117:2) All praises are for the One and Only God and Creator Allah, who alone is worthy of devotion, complete submission and worship.