Clarifying the error of some people who limit the benefit of worship to worldly benefit.
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The Shaykh : On this occasion, we would like to say: There are now people who, when they speak about the benefits of acts of worship, turn them into worldly benefits. For example, regarding prayer, they say it is exercise: you bow, you stand, you prostrate, and you stand up; this benefits the muscles, so it is exercise. When they speak about fasting, they also say it is beneficial: it organizes meals, removes moisture, and so on, which they mumble about. In reality, I see that this should not be made the primary thing, the most important thing. That is why this benefit was not mentioned regarding fasting; what was mentioned? Taqwa (mindfulness of Allah). Taqwa was mentioned. So this is mentioned first, and that is mentioned second. Or perhaps we can say: When we address the general public, we explain to them only the religious benefits. But when we address those who are not convinced by anything but a material thing they can touch, we address them with this as well. We address them with this and that, for every occasion has its own discourse.
The questioner : What is the difference between seeking good in this world and this type of human desire?
The Shaykh : Yes, seeking good in this world through its worldly means is not a problem, such as buying and selling.
The questioner : ... A person calls upon Allah to provide him with wealth and sons.
The Shaykh : It is known that there is no prohibition.
The questioner : All of this is in this world.
The Shaykh : But one does not worship Allah for this reason.
The questioner : Is supplication itself not an act of worship?
The Shaykh : Yes, but you call upon Allah to give you this thing. You pray for the sake of this thing. This is undoubtedly a very low rank, a very low rank. For example, the one who prays the prayer as a means of sustenance[Taha 20:132] If a person said: I want to pray, and... prayer is for the sake of sustenance, we would say: This is not appropriate. Pray for Allah the Mighty and Majestic, to draw near to Him, and sustenance will come afterwards.
As for worldly matters whose means are worldly, there is no harm in a person buying and selling, leasing and hiring, plowing and planting, seeking this world.
The questioner : So these are the prescribed means in this matter itself.
The Shaykh : First, do not make a share of this world the primary thing in acts of worship. Undoubtedly, that is the primary thing in acts of worship. As for the matter of striving in this world through worldly means, no one prevents that. It is prescribed; we do not tell a person to sit down and wait for his sustenance to come to him.
The questioner : What is the difference between seeking good in this world and this type of human desire?
The Shaykh : Yes, seeking good in this world through its worldly means is not a problem, such as buying and selling.
The questioner : ... A person calls upon Allah to provide him with wealth and sons.
The Shaykh : It is known that there is no prohibition.
The questioner : All of this is in this world.
The Shaykh : But one does not worship Allah for this reason.
The questioner : Is supplication itself not an act of worship?
The Shaykh : Yes, but you call upon Allah to give you this thing. You pray for the sake of this thing. This is undoubtedly a very low rank, a very low rank. For example, the one who prays the prayer as a means of sustenance
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.
وأمر أهلك بالصلاة واصطبر عليها لا نسألك رزقا نحن نرزقك والعاقبة للتقوىAs for worldly matters whose means are worldly, there is no harm in a person buying and selling, leasing and hiring, plowing and planting, seeking this world.
The questioner : So these are the prescribed means in this matter itself.
The Shaykh : First, do not make a share of this world the primary thing in acts of worship. Undoubtedly, that is the primary thing in acts of worship. As for the matter of striving in this world through worldly means, no one prevents that. It is prescribed; we do not tell a person to sit down and wait for his sustenance to come to him.