The Camp Has Ended, But ʿIbādah Continues By Mutohhir Abdulhamid Olanrewaju
The camp has come to an end. The tents are folded, the noise has faded, and friends have returned to their various homes. Yet one important question lingers in our hearts: will our connection with Allah end the same way the camp has ended? Islam teaches us that worship (ʿibādah) is not seasonal, nor is it confined to specific places or moments. Fathi Yakan, in his book What Does It Mean to Be a Muslim?, explains that ʿibādah in Islam is total submission to Allah, rooted in constant consciousness of His greatness. It is a living bond between the Creator and His servants, a bond that also shapes how we relate with one another. Allah makes this purpose clear in the Qur’an: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Qur’an 51:56). This verse settles the matter completely, ʿibādah is our life’s mission, not a temporary camp experience. As youths, we must understand that every moment of our lives carries weight. Shaykh Dhikrullahi Shafi‘i reminded us beaut...