The meaning of both “Ibadat” and “Obodiat” is express humility and humbleness.
Raghib in Mafuradat says that both the words have very profound meanings and one is that they should prostrate before Him with due humility to get many rewards from God.
It seems that the origin of both these words is “A’bd” which means servant but it may at times be used for every person whether he be a slave or a free man ( As explained in Lisan-ol-Arab and Kitab-ol-Aiyin) it is because every human is God’s servant and at times the word “Abd’ is used particularly for slaves.
Raghib says that ‘Abd” is of four kinds:
1. “Abd” that is slaves who are bought and sold.
2. “Abd” as a creation.
3. “Abd’ meaning servant who serves and obeys and it too has two kinds: the servant of God and the servant of the world and are sometimes Ibadur Rahman and sometimes Ibadud Duniya”
Majmaul Bahrain tells us that “Abd’ is often used for a group like in verse 29 of Surah Fajr which says, “Enter then my honored slaves”
The point to note is that “ Ibadat” too is of two kinds: One is that which is adopted being ordered by the Qura’n and the other is that which is done voluntarily as said in verse 44 of Surah Isra, “ There is not a thing but glorifies His praise.”
Tarihi says in Majmaul Bahrain that the scholars believe that there are three kinds of worship:
First, Physical worship like Namaz or fasting.
Second,
spiritual worship like Tawhid, Messengership, Judgment Day and the tenets of the faith.
Third: the collective worship: Like going for Jihad against the enemies of Islam and helping the Islamic army. (1)
The word “Taghut” is a hyperbole and its origin is “Tughian” (1) which means to transgress the limit that is why this word is used for those who are excessive and rebellious in their behavior like the Satan, sorcerers, tyrants and even the wayward path is called “Taghut” and can be used singularly or in plural form.
In Majmaul Bayan Tabrisi while explaining Ayatol Kursi has given five meanings for the word “Taghut”, Satan, astrologer, sorcerer, and rebellious Jinns and humans and idols but all of them revert to the same composite meaning that we have mentioned above.
1. Majmaul Bahrain Tarihi Vol.3. Page 108
