The Difference Between Worship (‘Ibada) and Obedience (Ta‘a)

Question

Regarding the verse [ar]وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ[/ar] "I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56) — some people say that worship (‘ibada) is a distinguishing feature of humans and jinn, while the rest of creation [merely] show obedience (ta‘a). So are worship and obedience distinct in reality? Are their meanings separate, or are they one and the same?

Answer

Worship (‘ibada) is exaltation in the utmost degree of self-abasement, performed by command and to Allah Most High alone: [ar]إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ[/ar] "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help" (Surah Al-Fatiha, 1:5). Obedience (ta‘a)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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