What do we understand from the verse: “So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allah's worship (i.e. stand up for prayer).” [1]

 

The believer has no break from being religious. There is no vacation from Islam. Those who think that they can take a break from religion fail to grasp its true meaning. Islam is a lifetime commitment; the worship of God is something which must take place throughout our waking hours. Sometimes, we observe that while attending the religious gatherings the women wear hijab but elsewhere at work or on the streets they wear something else. Allah is present not only in religious gatherings but everywhere, being an all-time observer. These are among the signs of hypocrisy. We have to be conscious because the religion of Islam is a way of life and not a set of religious actions to be performed on particular occasions and in the presence of particular people. They become rituals which are meaningless. Islam is a way of life, meaning we are never divorced from it. We always have to be Muslims and that's why we are instructed in a du’a made in the Qur’an in which the believers are invited to express their commitment:

Say: “Verily my acts of worship (sacrifices that I have made in life), my living and my dying are for the pleasure of God, Lord of all the worlds.”[2]

This is the commitment of the believer that every single thing that they do in life is an act of worship. They are ever conscious of Allah. That's why Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) reported to us many short prayers for almost every occasion such as when we wake up, when we go to sleep, when we go to the bathroom, when we eat, dress, travel etc. This was to help us to be conscious of Allah in all the things that we do. All our actions can be transformed into acts of worship. The simplest of acts like eating becomes worship when we say "In the name of Allah" before eating. When we say that sincerely it transforms our act of eating into worship.  This prayer helps us to remember Allah while eating by reflecting upon His favours. It reminds us to not eat extravagantly but to be moderate in our eating, making sure the food is permissible and not forbidden. The life of the committed believer is transformed entirely into worship. Once we have finished doing the things that are compulsory, we ought to perform other acts of righteousness which are rewarded by Allah no matter how insignificant we think they are.

References:

[1] [Qur’an 94:7]

[2] [Qur’an 6:162]

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