In this discussion...

In this discussion, only the awakened consciences can be the judges in order to differentiate between ta'zim (respect) and ‘ ibada (worship). Now if we wish to explain ‘ibada in the logical sense and wish to test and analyse it, we can define it in three ways and all the three explanation can pursue the same objective. However, before that we shall mention two defective introductions upon which the Wahhabis rely. Two Defective Presentation of ‘ibada A.

Ibadat: Humility (خضوع) and Submissiveness (تذلل) In dictionaries, the word of ‘ibada has been interpreted as humility or humbleness ( خضوع ) and manifestation of meekness or submissiveness (4) ( اظهار تذلل ) Such an interpretation cannot give a precise, correct and perfect meaning of the word of ‘ibada because: (1) If ‘ibada is synonymous to either humility ( خضوع) and meekness, ( تذلل ) then we cannot issue an identity card of tawhid for anybody in this world and cannot call anyone as a monotheist because man, by nature, is humble and meek in front of the spiritual and material perfections of those who are above him and better than him, like a student in front of his teacher, a child in front of his teacher, a child in front of his father and mother, a lover in front of his beloved one and so on.

(2) The Holy Qur’an commands the children to be low and humble before the parents. It says: واخفِض لهُما جناح الذُّل مِن الرحمة وقُل رب ارحمهُما كما ربّياني صغيراً. “And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little.

(Bani-Israel 7:24)” If an abject humility is the sign of ‘ Ibadat ’ of that person, then all the obedient children have to be called as polytheists and all the disobedient ones as monotheists. B. 'Ibada: Unlimited Humility When some of the commentators became aware of the deficiency of interpretation of the compilers of dictionaries, they strived to amend it and interpreted it in another manner.

(Baqarah 2:34)” Prostration in front of a creature is evidence of meekness and the manifestation of unlimited humility.