By: M.M. Hassan Abdulhadi Rashid – University of Karbala – College of Islamic Sciences

The Creator, Exalted is He, established acts of worship with a great purpose and noble objective. It is incorrect to practice these acts without understanding the intentions of the legislator and without knowledge of their greater aims. A believer cannot truly attain the essence of worship unless it is done with understanding and knowledge. Achieving spiritual perfection is closely tied to deep reflection on the secrets of worship and savoring its sweetness. Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the guiding lineage emphasized that understanding (fiqh) is the soul of worship; without it, worship remains like a body without a soul, or a shell without the core. The term “fiqh” here refers to a deeper understanding that goes beyond learning the specific legal rulings—it encompasses knowledge of the fundamentals of faith, its branches, and ethical values from the Islamic perspective.

Several narrations affirm these meanings and clarify the reality and requirements of worship, such as:

• The standard for the correctness of worship and its ability to bring one closer to Allah is not merely its quantity but the consciousness of the heart and the intellect that understands its secrets. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A little fiqh (understanding) is better than much worship.”
• There is no value in the outward form if it lacks the essence. Every act of worship carries a fruit referred to as “goodness.” If that fruit is not attained, a person will be deprived of its benefits. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) narrated: “There is no good in worship that lacks fiqh, no good in knowledge that lacks contemplation, and no good in recitation that lacks reflection.”
• Understanding the religion is the key to awareness, and through it, acts of worship become complete, and the goal of worship is attained. Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him) said: “Study the religion of Allah, for fiqh is the key to insight, the completion of worship, and the path to high positions and noble ranks both in religion and in the world… Whoever does not study their religion, Allah will not accept their actions.”
• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gives preference to understanding over other acts of worship, stating: “The best form of worship is fiqh.”
• Allah’s grace towards a believer is manifested in granting them success in learning and understanding the religion; this is a gift He bestows upon some of His righteous servants. Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “If Allah wishes good for a servant, He grants them understanding of the religion.”
• One who seeks spiritual perfection and strives for elevated spiritual positions achieves all of this through understanding the religion, as it is the head of all virtues. Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said: “Perfection is all about understanding the religion.”

This article emphasizes that the true essence of worship lies in understanding the depth and wisdom behind it, as this is the key to attaining closeness to Allah and spiritual fulfillment.