وسطية أهل السنة والجماعة في مفهوم عبادة الله عز وجل

The Moderation of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah in the Concept of Worshiping Allah

Abstract

This article explores the principle of moderation (wasatiyyah) of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah in their understanding of the worship of Allah, highlighting its role in preserving correct belief and religious balance. The study is divided into three main sections. The first section defines the concept of moderation, explaining that it denotes justice, excellence, balance, and uprightness, and represents a middle path between excess and negligence in matters of faith and practice. It emphasizes that Ahl al-Sunnah are distinguished by their adherence to this balanced approach in all aspects of religion. The second section examines the concept of worship according to Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah, demonstrating that worship is a comprehensive term encompassing complete humility and submission to Allah combined with perfect love. It includes beliefs, verbal acts, inner actions of the heart, and outward physical deeds such as prayer, charity, fasting, and other forms of obedience prescribed by Islamic law. This holistic understanding ensures that all aspects of a believer’s life are directed toward sincere devotion to Allah alone. The third section analyzes the views of groups that diverge from the Sunni understanding of worship. It highlights how some groups limit worship to belief in divine lordship, thereby excluding practices such as supplication and seeking help from being considered acts of worship, while others restrict worship to the concept of governance and authority (hakimiyyah), leading to extreme judgments and unwarranted accusations of disbelief. The article concludes that the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah represents the true moderate path, safeguards pure monotheism, prevents both shirk and extremism, and remains fully consistent with the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the call of all prophets to worship Allah alone.