Epistle on Worship – Risalat al-‘Ubudiyya English Translation by Ibn Taymiyyah

Epistle on Worship – Risalat al-‘Ubudiyya English Translation by Ibn Taymiyyah 

Epistle on Worship (Risalat al-‘Ubudiyya) by Imam Ibn Taymiyyah is a profound classical Islamic work exploring the true meaning of worship, servitude, obedience, and devotion to Allah. Presented in an annotated English translation by James Pavlin, this insightful book introduces readers to Ibn Taymiyyah’s theological understanding of worship as a balance of love, humility, obedience, and submission to God. The introduction provides valuable historical context about Ibn Taymiyyah’s life, intellectual legacy, and influence on Islamic thought. Written in a clear and accessible style, the book serves as an important resource for students of aqeedah, theology, spirituality, and Islamic studies. Ideal for personal study, Islamic libraries, universities, and seekers of authentic Islamic knowledge, this paperback edition combines classical scholarship with contemporary readability.

From Author:

Ibn Taymiyya remains one of the most controversial Islamic thinkers today because of his supposed influence on many fundamentalist movements. The common understanding of his ideas have been filtered through the bits and pieces of his statements, which have been misappropriated by alleged supporters and avowed critics alike. However, most people still have limited access to his beliefs and opinions as expressed in his own writings. Epistle on Worship: Risālat al-ʿubūdiyya, aims fill this gap by presenting an annotated translation of one of Ibn Taymiyya’s most important epistles on the theology behind the concept of worship. The introduction gives the reader an overview of his biography and situates Ibn Taymiyya in the broader world of Islamic intellectual history by explaining his methodological arguments and theological opinions. The annotated translation captures the immediacy of his ideas as they impacted his world as well as the relevancy they have for our times. James Pavlin (Abu Zakariya) is currently Adjunct Professor in the History Department at William Paterson University in New Jersey and a part-time Lecturer in the Department of Religion at Rutgers University.

Content:

Understanding the Concept of Worship

The book explores the Islamic understanding of worship as complete submission, obedience, and devotion to Allah alone. It explains that worship in Islam is not limited to rituals but includes every sincere act done in accordance with Allah’s guidance.

The Islamic Belief in Tawheed

A major theme of the book is the concept of Tawheed — the absolute Oneness of Allah. The text contrasts the Islamic belief in one God with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing Islam’s clear and uncompromising monotheism based on the Qur’an and authentic teachings.

Clarifying Religious Concepts

The author discusses theological questions surrounding the Trinity, prophethood, and the status of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). Through logical arguments and scriptural references, the book highlights Islam’s consistent message that Allah alone deserves worship and that Jesus was a prophet and servant of God.

A Valuable Resource for Readers

This book is beneficial for students of Islamic knowledge, researchers, and readers interested in comparative religion. It provides thoughtful insights into Islamic theology while strengthening understanding of faith, worship, and devotion.

Page:01
IBN TAYMIYYA
Epistle On Worship
Risalat Al-Ubudiyya
Translated by JAMES PAVLIN
Page:02
The Trinity:
CHAPTER 2 GOD
IN BOTH RELIGIONS
Christianity believes in the Trinity, i.e., God is three in one. But this Trinity is never mentioned in the Bible, neither the Old nor the New Testament. Not even "three in one" is mentioned. This means that the Trinity is a church-made invention. It has nothing to do with the Bible, which the church takes to be God's word.
Islam holds that God is one. So does the book of Islam, i.e., the Holy Quran.
Which religion abides by its book: Christianity or Islam? The Bible does not preach the Trinity, which the church preaches. Islam sticks to what the Quran says, i.e., that God is one. Which religion respects its own book: Christianity or Islam? Which religion is more consistent with itself?
Polytheism or Monotheism?
The church says that God is three in one. But it leaves people puzzled in the maze. When Jesus was crucified, were the three crucified together? Was the Father crucified with the Son or was the Son crucified alone? When Jesus died, did he die alone or did the three die together? When Mary gave birth to Jesus, was the Father united with Jesus? If not, so the Father is a separate distinct person and so is the Son. If separate, why one then?
Islam is very clear and simple. God is one. Jesus is a man and God's prophet.
Which do you choose: Jesus the God and man or Jesus the man and prophet?
Father or Son?
Christianity says that God No.1 is the Father, God. No.2 is the Son, and God No.3 is the Holy Spirit. One expects that the Father stands at the top, superior to the Son. But what the church did is that it put the Son above his Father. When Christians ask forgiveness, they address Jesus, not the Father. When they preach, they focus on the Son, not the Father. They simply put the Father to retirement. The Church, in fact, gave the Son the job of judging people on the Day of Judgment. The Father will be then just sitting doing nothing except enjoying how the Son runs the world! It is strange that Christianity created a son for God and gradually made the Son a god, and eventually made God No.2, the son, superior and more important than God No.1, the Father.
Islam is clear on the fact that the only one whom we should submit ourselves to is God.
Page:03
BRANCHES of FAITH
DR Abdul KARIM Awad
About the Author:
A graduate of the University of Liverpool, John Moores, UK. Completed MA Language Testing. Interested in language teaching as well as
research & development. He obtained MA, MPhil & PhD in Applied Linguistics and is currently studying theories of translations hoping to achieve a post doctorate degree in this field. He is also experienced in 20 years of teaching in various parts of the world. Presently, he is the Imam of Rhyl Centre, North Wales, UK.

Islamic Texts Society

• Imam Ibn Taymiyyah

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Page:01
IBN TAYMIYYA
Epistle On Worship
Risalat Al-Ubudiyya
Translated by JAMES PAVLIN
Page:02
The Trinity:
CHAPTER 2 GOD
IN BOTH RELIGIONS
Christianity believes in the Trinity, i.e., God is three in one. But this Trinity is never mentioned in the Bible, neither the Old nor the New Testament. Not even "three in one" is mentioned. This means that the Trinity is a church-made invention. It has nothing to do with the Bible, which the church takes to be God's word.
Islam holds that God is one. So does the book of Islam, i.e., the Holy Quran.
Which religion abides by its book: Christianity or Islam? The Bible does not preach the Trinity, which the church preaches. Islam sticks to what the Quran says, i.e., that God is one. Which religion respects its own book: Christianity or Islam? Which religion is more consistent with itself?
Polytheism or Monotheism?
The church says that God is three in one. But it leaves people puzzled in the maze. When Jesus was crucified, were the three crucified together? Was the Father crucified with the Son or was the Son crucified alone? When Jesus died, did he die alone or did the three die together? When Mary gave birth to Jesus, was the Father united with Jesus? If not, so the Father is a separate distinct person and so is the Son. If separate, why one then?
Islam is very clear and simple. God is one. Jesus is a man and God's prophet.
Which do you choose: Jesus the God and man or Jesus the man and prophet?
Father or Son?
Christianity says that God No.1 is the Father, God. No.2 is the Son, and God No.3 is the Holy Spirit. One expects that the Father stands at the top, superior to the Son. But what the church did is that it put the Son above his Father. When Christians ask forgiveness, they address Jesus, not the Father. When they preach, they focus on the Son, not the Father. They simply put the Father to retirement. The Church, in fact, gave the Son the job of judging people on the Day of Judgment. The Father will be then just sitting doing nothing except enjoying how the Son runs the world! It is strange that Christianity created a son for God and gradually made the Son a god, and eventually made God No.2, the son, superior and more important than God No.1, the Father.
Islam is clear on the fact that the only one whom we should submit ourselves to is God.
Page:03
BRANCHES of FAITH
DR Abdul KARIM Awad
About the Author:
A graduate of the University of Liverpool, John Moores, UK. Completed MA Language Testing. Interested in language teaching as well as
research & development. He obtained MA, MPhil & PhD in Applied Linguistics and is currently studying theories of translations hoping to achieve a post doctorate degree in this field. He is also experienced in 20 years of teaching in various parts of the world. Presently, he is the Imam of Rhyl Centre, North Wales, UK.