Ibadah
/ɪˈbɑːdə/noun
In Islam, worship or devotional acts performed in obedience and service to God.
Did you know?Ibadah comes from the Arabic root ʿ-B-D, which also produces ʿabd, meaning “servant” or “slave,” linking worship with humble service before God.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
ʿ-B-D
“To work, serve, or perform service”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ʿabada
“To serve, worship, or devote oneself”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ʿibād
“Servants or worshippers”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ʿibādah
“Worship, devotion, or service rendered to God”
7th Century
Quranic Arabic
ʿibādah
“Religious worship and obedient devotion to God”
20th Century
English
ibadah
“Islamic worship or devotional practice, used as a loanword in English”