إِنَّ الْعُبَّادَ ثَلَاثَةٌ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَوْفاً فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْعَبِيدِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى طَلَبَ الثَّوَابِ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأُجَرَاءِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حُبّاً لَهُ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأَحْرَارِ وَ هِيَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ .
Translation
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Mahboub, from Jameel, from Haroun Bin Kharjat, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah<sup>asws</sup> having said: ‘The worshippers are three (types) – There is a group who are worshipping Allah<sup>azwj</sup> Mighty and Majestic out of fear. So that is the worship of the slaves; and there is a group who is worshipping Allah<sup>azwj</sup> Blessed and High seeking the Rewards. So that is the worship of the employees; and there is a group who is worshipping Allah<sup>azwj</sup> Mighty and Majestic out of love for Him<sup>azwj</sup>. So that is the worship of the free ones, and it is the most superior of the worships’.
Compiled by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni
Source
License: Free for educational and research use (Thaqalayn Data API)
Provided for research and educational purposes. Original source: Thaqalayn Project. Open License.