In Islam, worship is one of the primary ways to draw closer to Allah. The more we worship, the closer we hope to be to Allah and the higher our level of faith. However, there’s a phenomenon we often encounter: some people are so enthusiastic about worship that they go beyond what is typically expected. This raises a question: is it wrong to engage in excessive worship? Is it possible to overdo worship?
The answer isn’t as simple as a straightforward “yes” or “no.” In Islam, there’s a vital principle of balance and moderation that must be maintained, even in worship. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who serves as the ultimate example for Muslims, taught the importance of moderation in worship and avoiding excessiveness.
What Is Excessiveness in Worship?
Excessiveness in worship, known as ghuluw, occurs when someone goes beyond the limits set by Islamic law in performing acts of worship. This behavior might be driven by good intentions, such as a strong desire to earn more rewards or to draw nearer to Allah. However, Islam emphasizes balance, and even good actions, like worship, should not be done to an extreme.
An example of ghuluw can be seen in a person who vows to fast every single day without a break or to pray all night without sleep. However, the human body has rights that must be fulfilled, including the need for rest and physical care.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once corrected companions who wanted to take their acts of worship to an extreme. In a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari, three companions expressed their desire to increase their worship significantly. One of them wanted to fast every day without breaking it, another planned to pray all night continuously, and the third vowed not to marry so he could focus entirely on worship. Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“إِنِّي أَتْقَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَخْشَاكُمْ لَهُ، وَلَكِنِّي أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ، وَأُصَلِّي وَأَرْقُدُ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي”
“Indeed, I am the most pious and God-fearing among you, yet I fast and I break my fast, I pray at night, and I sleep, and I also marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me.”
(Narrated by Bukhari)
This story demonstrates that Islam teaches the importance of balancing worship with other aspects of life, such as fulfilling the body’s rights and taking care of family and work obligations.
Also read:It’s Never Too Late to Learn Islamic Knowledge
Balance in Worship: A Core Principle of Islam
Islam is a religion that emphasizes balance in all aspects of life, including worship. Allah affirms in the Qur’an that He does not burden anyone beyond their capacity:
“لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا”
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.”
(Qur’an, 2:286)
This verse highlights that Allah does not wish for His servants to be oppressed by excessive worship. Even in acts of worship, there is wisdom in avoiding extremes. Ibn Rajab, a classical scholar, explained that the goal of worship is to draw nearer to Allah in a way that does not cause hardship or exhaustion, as the human body also has rights that need to be fulfilled.
The concept of balance is also reflected in a hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, where he explained that small, consistent deeds are more beloved to Allah than large, sporadic acts of worship. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ”
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.”
(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
From this, we can understand that maintaining consistency and balance in worship is highly encouraged. It’s better to perform smaller acts of worship regularly than to undertake a large number of acts that cannot be sustained.
The Prophet ﷺ Corrects a Companion’s Excessive Worship
One well-known example of the importance of moderation in worship is the story of Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As. This companion was known for his intense worship. He would fast every day and pray throughout the night without rest. The Prophet ﷺ heard about this and advised Abdullah to adopt a more balanced approach. He reminded him that his body had a right to rest, and that fasting three days a month was sufficient. The Prophet ﷺ even recommended the best fast, that of the Prophet Dawud (David), where one fasts one day and breaks the fast the next.
“إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ”
“Verily, your Lord has a right over you, your body has a right over you, and your family has a right over you. So give each their due right.”
(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
This advice shows that in Islam, even a high level of enthusiasm for worship must be balanced with one’s physical and mental capacity. Moreover, excessive worship can have negative consequences, both for the individual and for those around them.
Also read:Faith, Knowledge, and Deeds: The Three Foundations of Act in Islam
The Dangers of Excessive Worship
Excessiveness in worship can bring about various risks, both physical and psychological, as well as potentially harming social relationships. Here are some of the dangers:
- Physical and Mental Fatigue
The human body has limits that must be respected. Engaging in worship without taking breaks or respecting the body’s need for rest can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. This exhaustion can then lower the quality of worship, making it difficult to achieve the desired concentration and devotion. - Neglecting Other Obligations
A person overly focused on worship may neglect other duties, such as working to provide for their family, studying, or attending to the rights of family members. Islam teaches balance in fulfilling all obligations, both worldly and spiritual. - Decreased Consistency in Worship
Starting out with high enthusiasm might lead someone to engage in intense worship, but without proper planning, it can lead to burnout, making it hard to continue. As a result, the individual may eventually stop altogether. - Pride and Self-Righteousness
Another danger of excessive worship is that it may lead to feelings of pride and self-righteousness. A person might feel superior to others because of their acts of worship, which can damage the sincerity and humility required in worship.
Islam Favors Simplicity and Moderation
Islam teaches the principle of wasathiyyah, or moderation, in all things, including worship. The Prophet ﷺ himself was a perfect example of how to balance worship with the responsibilities of daily life. He was not only diligent in his worship but also took care of his family, fulfilled his social duties, and maintained his physical health.
By practicing worship in a balanced manner, one can maintain it for the long term. This aligns with the Islamic teachings that emphasize the continuity of good deeds over their sheer volume.
Also read:Can Faith (Iman) Really Increase and Decrease?
Conclusion
So, is it wrong to engage in excessive worship? The answer is yes, if the worship goes beyond reasonable limits and brings about negative consequences for oneself or others. Islam teaches balance in all aspects of life, including worship. Simplicity and consistency are more highly valued than overdoing it, which may eventually lead to harm. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has demonstrated that moderate but consistent acts of worship are the most beloved to Allah.
Stay passionate in your worship, but remember that your body, mind, and the people around you also deserve attention. Simplicity and balance in worship reflect wisdom and a deep understanding of Islamic teachings.
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