Towards Perfection of Worship

In the opening of the book Minhajul Abidîn, Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali compiled 7 (seven) stages of a person believer towards the peak of perfection of worship. These 7 stages are a inspiration which Allah gave to Imam al-Ghazali. The seven roads are:

1.     Stages of knowledge

2.     Stages of repentance

3.     Barrier stage

4.     Obstacle stages

5.     Driving/motivation stage

6.     Destructive stage  and polluters of worship

7.     Stages of praise and gratitude

These seven stages are paths or levels (hierarchy) towards the degree of perfection of worship. The following will describe the stages First of the path to perfection. The other six stages will be explained at a different time.

Stages of Science

May Allah SWT gain taufik. poured out on all of us.

O seekers of sincerity, who wish to attain the perfection of worship, the first thing you must possess is knowledge. For knowledge is the center of all things. It is also important to know that knowledge and worship are like a pair of jewels. And you can see these two things in the works of writers and the teachings of the Prophets.  The teacher, the counsel of the advisors, and the research of the researchers. Because of these two, the heavenly books were revealed and the messengers were sent. In fact, because of these two, the heavens and the earth were created. Let us reflect on this noble verse.

The Word of God First;

AGod bless you
وَّمِنَ الْاَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّۗ يَتَنَزَّلُ الْاَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوْٓا
God willing قَدْ اَحَاطَ
God bless you

"Allah who created the seven heavens and from (the creation of) the earth is also similar. Allah's command applies to him, so that you may know that Allah is Almighty over all things, and Allah's knowledge truly covers everything." (QS. Ath-Talâq [65] verse 12)

This verse is sufficient proof of glory knowledge. Especially the science of monotheism.

Word second God says;

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْنِ

    "I did not create the jinn and mankind except that they may worship Me."

(QS. DzâRiyât [51] verse 56).

This verse is sufficient proof of glory worship and it is the duty of every creature to carry it out. 

So glorify these two things (knowledge and worship) because they are the purpose of the creation of two lives.[1] It is a duty for a servant not to be preoccupied or burdened by anything other than these two. It is not proper to think about anything other than these two.

Know that everything other than knowledge and worship is false and devoid of any goodness. It is also futile and has no benefit whatsoever.[2] If you have known that, then you should know that between the two gems, Knowledge is the noblest and most important thing (compared to worship).

That's why Rasulullah SAW. said; "Indeed, the parable of the superiority of a pious (knowledgeable) person over an expert in worship is like my superiority over the lowest people of my people."[3]

In another hadith, Rasulullah Saw. said; "Once I see the face of a pious person, it is more to my liking than the face of a person who worships for a year by fasting during the day and praying at night..”[4]
The Prophet also said: “Would you like me to tell you who is the most noble among the inhabitants of Paradise?” The friends answered "Of course, O Messenger of Allah" Then the Messenger of Allah said "they are the scholars from among my people"[5]

Thus, it is clear to us that knowledge is the most precious jewel, even more so than worship. Therefore, a servant must worship with the knowledge he possesses. Otherwise, his knowledge will be like dust blown away by the wind.

Because knowledge is like a tree, while worship is like one of many fruits. Glory belongs to the tree, for it is the root of its roots. However, its benefits can only be realized through the fruit it produces. Worship must be performed to maintain the glory of knowledge. Therefore, a servant must possess both: knowledge. and Worship. (Continued…)

Extracted from the book “Minhajul Abidîn” final work Imam al-Ghazali, Translated by Fuad Syaifudin Nur, published by Turos Pustaka. Second edition, March 2021. Pages 38-40

Hope it's useful.

Wallhu'alam Bisshowab