Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of the in Building the Virtuous Community Book Seven: The Ritual System of the Virtuous Community Preface A general review of the Islamic system demonstrates that rituals and acts of worship play an important role in deeds, behavior, words, ceremonies and anniversaries. Rituals and acts of worship in Islam are inseparably related.
Rituals ( sha‘ā’ir )—defined as ceremonies, rules of etiquette, and activities that distinguish the Muslim nation from other nations—are mixed with the Islamic practice of worship in both form and content. Islamic practices of worship are rituals, such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, and zakat , and Islamic rituals are practices of worship, such as the celebrations on the feast days and other days related to Islamic occasions.
Even social ceremonies, such as marriage and the like, not to mention social activities, such as offering salutations and beginning with the basmalah (i.e. utterance of bismi-llahir-rahmanir-rahim ), are originally acts of worship through which nearness to Almighty Allah is sought.
In the Holy Qur'an, acts of worship during the Hajj Pilgrimage have been described as rituals on more than one occasion, such as the following: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ {158} Behold! Safa and Marwah are among the RITUALS of Allah.
So, there shall be no blame on those who visit the House in the Month or at other times and go round them. And if anyone does good deeds voluntarily, be assured that Allah is He Who recognizes and knows. (2:158) وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُمْ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ {36} As for the camels, We have made them RITUALS of the religion of Allah for you. For you, therein is much good.
(22:36) Discussing the obligatory practices of the Hajj Pilgrimage, the Holy Qur'an says: ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ {32} Such is his state. And whoever holds in honor the RITUALS of Allah (in the sacrifice of animals) this is surely from piety of heart.