Allah provides us with a complete picture of our existence in the Quran. Muslims perceive that meaningful life is to serve God’s purpose and live a life linked to eternal life on one hand and attaining existential meaning from worldly goals and moral virtues on the other. Allah is the only creator of this world and all other things which are present in this world. Allah didn’t create anything without purpose everything is made for some reason and has some meaning in life. Allah says:
وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
“This worldly life is nothing but diversion and amusement. Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the true life if only they knew.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:64)
Islam is a complete religion having proficient knowledge about every matter of life and to our amazement, it has answers for this too. Muslims are required to observe righteousness in their daily life, based on Quranic teachings. Allah sent every living creature to this world for some purpose. Every single act that is carried out for the sake of submission to Allah falls within the definition of the real purpose of human life. Allah says:
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا
“The wealth and children (are) adornment (of) the life (of) the world. But the enduring good deeds (are) better near your Lord (for) reward and better (for) hope.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46)
Islam sheds great importance on behaving during our lifetime. Haqooq Allah and Haqooq Al-Ibaad are given fundamental pillars in the lives of Muslims. While Haqooq Allah is the main goal of life, the way to it largely depends on how we participate in Haqooq Al-Ibaad. Haqooq Al-Ibaad primarily deals with how we behave in our daily routines. Controlling our anger, helping others, talking to family and friends nicely and other aspects build our nature and reflect on how we behave.
Islam teaches us ways to make our life better, it contains guidance regarding every aspect of life:
- Human life focuses on what is in your control & try best
- Human life establishes peace and justice in society
- Human life revealed as a balanced way of living
- Human life commands love, mercy, and peace
- Human life brings civilization and happiness
- Human life leads to a balanced way of living
- Human life is to think you will return to God
- Human life teaches the pleasure of Allah
- Human life standing up for justice
- Human life is to love others
- Human life has a noble purpose
- Human life has infinite value for all
- Human life having mindfulness of God
- Human life enriches respecting parents
- Human life to participate in public affairs
- Human life to struggle for just social order
- Human life is to respect parents and care
- Human life is to have the kindness to neighbours
- Human life is intimate next life as well as our faith
- Human life recalls God’s Mercy and fears punishment
Human life is sacred and inviolable and every effort shall be made to protect it. This world is no more than a test in which all humans are bound to face some hardships and challenges that reveal their patience and steadfastness. Problems and troubles serve as means to expiate sins and elevate the believer’s rank in the Hereafter. The life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reflects the teachings of the Quran and Allah. Allah says:
يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ
“O, my people! Only this, the life (of) the world, (is) enjoyment, and indeed, the Hereafter – it (is the) home, (of) settlement.” (Surah Ghafir 40:39)
A man has always been greedy by nature and has wished for more than he should own. The present society has evolved so drastically around money-oriented expansions that its values and norms of morality have also been tarnished. People have almost ceased to differentiate between right and wrong and think of living this life to the fullest in every respect. The Islamic way of life is thus based on a unique concept of man’s place in the universe. We can thus lead to fulfilling lives by bringing more Islam into our lives.
Islam teaches us how to behave in life through the Quranic teaching:
- Quran is a complete package to spend our lives in the best manner
- Quran is the prime source of guidance for all the humanity
- Quran gives guidelines to succeed in all walks of life
- Quran reading comes as a ray of hope for all in life
- Quran is the 4th and Last Heavenly Book of Allah
- Quran is evident in every aspect of life
- Quran is a teaching in the speech of God
- Quran is addressing itself to mankind in general
- Quran is the primary source of religious learning
- Quran is highly unique in its contents and teachings
- Quran is for the purpose of strengthening your inner heart
- Quran helps in actual duties and responsibilities in worldly life
Human life is a complete ideology of life that deals with the fundamental problems of life on the basis of sensorial observations. Human life is sacred in Islam and every person has been granted God-given fundamental and universal rights at the time of their birth. Whatever we have in this world is all due to Allah’s reward for our efforts. Allah says:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“Our Lord, give us goodness in this life and goodness in the Hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201)
Islam is a religion that balances worldly life and the life to come. Islam challenges us to maintain balance in life. All material things in this life are meant as tools for people to work hard towards the pleasure of God. Quran clearly states that the Muslim’s whole life purpose is nothing but to obey Allah and keep His love above everything.
Meaning of life according to Islam, we have roles to play in our community and society:
- Life is a Test: “He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed-and He is the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” (Al-Mulk 67:2)
- Life is Momentary: The life that is currently lived on this earth will not last forever. It is only a momentary thing.
- Life in Heaven Will be Better: That’s why it’s not good to only care about the materialistic things that exist in this life.
- Dutiful Worship: Muslims always remember Allah. This can be done by carrying out all the true worship.
- Live According to the Rules of Islam: When a Muslim is willing to dedicate oneself to Allah, then they must live according to the rules of Islam.
- Life Motivation: If a Muslim doesn’t know what their life goal is then they could lose the motivation to carry on with life.
- Live Life in Kindness: A Muslim must never forget to be kind while living on earth. Every living and non-living thing is Allah’s creation and one should try to be kind to them all.
Muslims know that this first life is very short, whereas the second life is an eternal one. To find the purpose of life you’re going to need to do some digging. Allah informed us clear that when humans will indulge in hatred of each other then they will select hating others as a purpose of their life which will turn them from the true purpose and that is the remembrance of Allah.
Here is what the Quranic verses teach us about life, Allah Almighty says:
- “Men not created without a purpose.” (Quran 23:115)
- “Let not then this present life deceive you.” (Surah Fatir: 5)
- “Man is himself accountable for his own actions.” (Quran 17:1)
- “And the Hereafter is better for you than the first life.” (Quran 93:4)
- “you have that day, nor for you will there be any denial.” (Quran 42:47)
- “The life of this world is merely the enjoyment of delusion.” (Quran 3:185)
- “I have not created men except that they should serve Me.” (Quran, 51:56)
Islam is the response to humanity’s search for meaning. In order to balance the negative effects posed by afflictions, Islam draws our attention to their expected fruit. This optimistic and positive approach safeguards one from falling prey to despair and grief. Believers face difficulties with brave hearts; they trust Allah’s wisdom and believe in His mercy, and they know that these tests are rewarding. Allah says:
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يُبْخَسُونَ
“Whoever [is] desires the life (of) the world and its adornments, We will repay in full to them (for) their deeds therein, and they in it will not be lessened.” (Surah Hud 11:15)
Allah cautions us not to get carried away by the charms of this life because, in comparison with the hereafter, this life has quite a limited span. The Quran encourages Muslims to enjoy the pleasures of their worldly life, but on the other hand, it warns us of squandering and prodigality. So there is a limit to enjoying the pleasures of our worldly life.
