ARE PRAYING AND WORSHIPING MEANT TO SATISFY GOD?

“I served myself to God. I prayed 5 times a day, I fasted, I read the Qur'an more than most people, and I was willing to die or kill for God. But I never felt God was satisfied, I didn't know if He was or not”

Spoken by an ex-Muslim, I watched a podcast about his journey to becoming a Christian, but I sensed a slight misconception about his perception. I want to highlight the point of how he was praying to satisfy God. However, I can tell he was raised in a tough environment and I’m not going to judge his whole journey.

God is Powerful, God is Great, The Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate, The Most Forgiving. But how could He need us to make Him satisfied? Would that make Him more powerful? Or by not worshiping Him, He becomes less powerful? It feels like a random thought that came out of nowhere, but what is the correct concept behind it?

Human beings, like kings such as Nimrod and Pharaoh, needed validation and satisfaction, so they demanded their people worship them as gods. Prophet Abraham and Prophet Moses were among those who refused to worship these kings. In the end, these kings were defeated and rendered powerless after the prophets were granted miracles by Allah SWT. Those kings were nothing more than unjust rulers and arrogant human beings.

IF ALL HUMAN BEINGS DIDN’T WORSHIP GOD, HE WOULD NEVER BECOME POWERLESS. He didn't need our prayers or worship, He will still be The Most Powerful. We don’t pray or worship God to satisfy Him, but primarily to satisfy our soul. If we don’t feel satisfied, think about the purpose of worship. Worship is meant to bring peace and purpose to our lives, to remind us of our connection to something greater. It's not about fulfilling a need in God but about fulfilling a need within ourselves—to feel grounded, guided, and grateful.

When we lose sight of the purpose behind it, worship can feel empty. But when we focus on its true meaning, it becomes a source of strength, a way to align our hearts with what is pure, merciful, and just.

In Islam, Allah commanded us to pray for the good things that will benefit us. Prayer and worship can keep us away from vile and immoral deeds, erase our sins, save us in the hereafter, and bring peace to our souls. Then, when we face difficulties and hardships in life, pray and ask Allah SWT for help. Truly there is no one we can ask for help except Allah SWT.

Al-Qur’an

Al-Ankabut: 45

 

ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ ٤٥

“Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, genuine prayer should deter one from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is an even greater deterrent. And Allah fully knows what you all do.”

Al-Baqarah: 45

وَٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ ٤٥

“And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden except for the humble”

Hadith

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏‏ "‏الصلوات الخمس، والجمعة إلى الجمعة، كفارة لما بينهن، ما لم تغشَ الكبائر‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The five (daily) Salat (prayers) and the Friday (prayer) to the Friday (prayer) expiate whatever (minor sins) may be committed in between, so long as major sins are avoided."

[Muslim].

Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1045

In book reference: Book 8, Hadith 55

My mom once told me to keep praying, whether God accepts it or not. When we start thinking about whether He accepts it or not, we dive deeper into that thought until we might ask ourselves, 'If He doesn’t accept it, then what’s the point of me praying?' This is almost like questioning whether God is satisfied with our prayers. Because we’re trying to guess what God is thinking. Did He think about this? Or that? Did He accept my prayer? Was He satisfied with my prayer?

It’s not our job to guess what God actually thinks, because no matter how hard we try, WE WILL NEVER KNOW. Our job is simply to do what He commands and to stay away from what He forbids. We can’t even guess what’s in someone else’s mind, so how can you know God’s? How did you come to the conclusion that He isn’t satisfied, and how can you take that as a final answer while you have far less knowledge than God?

This is a thought that doesn’t seem like it comes from a place of understanding but rather from a desire for control or certainty. And sometimes, seeking that certainty in a way that feels ‘satisfactory’ can lead us to doubt, frustration, and misplaced expectations.

True faith requires a level of humility, an acceptance that some things are beyond human understanding. We can only see a small part of the picture, but God sees it all. And when we let go of the need to fully understand His plan or His satisfaction, we open ourselves to a deeper peace, a sense of trust that whatever comes, it is ultimately for our growth and guidance.