Islam addresses the reason of what and why of human existence. For Muslims, the purpose of life lies in the Quran. It is the only guidance that will help them to lead a meaningful life. A faithful Muslim believes that the Quran carries a universal truth inside it. The trials could be related to our wealth, family, disease and many other things. But the most important thing to remember is that Muslims must always put their faith in Allah. Troubles will pass as long as one continues to pray for Allah’s guidance. Allah says:
زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Beautified for those who disbelieve[d] (is) the life (of) the world, and they ridicule [of] those who believe[d]. And those who consciously revere (Allah), (they will be) above them (on the) Day (of) Resurrection. And Allah provides whom He wills without measure.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:212)
The purpose of life according to Islam and the Quran is related to being kind. In Islam, the bad and unkind people will go to hell. Heaven is only reserved for good people who follow Allah. A Muslim must always remember 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. Almighty Allah has guided people to the purpose of life that is worshipping Him and seeking His pleasure. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا وَتَتَّقُوا يُؤْتِكُمْ أُجُورَكُمْ وَلَا يَسْأَلْكُمْ أَمْوَالَكُمْ
“Only the life (of) the world (is) play and amusement. And if you believe you consciously revere (Allah) He will give you your rewards and not will ask you (for) your wealth.” (Surah Muhammad 47:36)
We as Muslims have a clear perception in our mind that the creation o this world and humankind is to praise and worship our Creator. Islam addresses the reason of what and why of human existence. The material progress he makes will benefit him both in this world and in the hereafter. We as Muslims have a clear perception in our mind that the creation o this world and humankind is to praise and worship our Creator.
The Basic Values of Islam, about the value of Purpose:
- The purpose of life for all human beings have One God
- The purpose of life is to think you will be accountable
- The purpose of life has the dignity of all human being
- The purpose of our life is the worship of our Creator
- The purpose of life means to know where you stand
- The purpose of life is to make a positive difference
- The purpose of life is to work for the sake of God
- Think you will return to God and be accountable
- The pleasure of Allah should be our goal
- Life here is considered as an examination
- Focus on what is in your control & try best
- This life is a test and God sees everything you do
- The purpose of life is to think you will return to God
- Religion is the best way to know about the purpose of life
- If good happens, be grateful. If bad happens, have patience
- Money is not the main purpose at all the stages of one’s life
- The believers will not face the same afterlife as the corrupters
- Put your trust in God – nothing happens except by His permission
If a Muslim doesn’t know what their life goal is then they could lose the motivation to carry on with life. The point of view that Islam gives refers to human existence is quite different from other religions wherein some there is no purpose for human existence, or if there is any, it is beyond human intelligence. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ إِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيْنَ أُمَتِّعْكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحْكُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلًا
O Prophet! Say to your wives, “If you desire the life (of) the world and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and release you (with) a release good.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:28)
God, the All-Wise, did not create us to simply wander or to only fulfil our basic instincts and desires. Rather, we have a higher purpose – to acknowledge and worship God alone, so that we live upon the guidance of our Creator. This guidance enables us to live a contented and successful life in all aspects.
Quranic Verses About Our Purpose In Life:
- “And the Hereafter is better for you than the first life.” (Ad-Duhaa 93:4)
- “I have created the jinn and humankind only for My worship.” (Quran, 51:56)
- ”It is not befitting for Allah to take a son; He is perfect and flawless!” (Quran 19:35)
- “Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for rewards and better for [one’s] hope.” (Quran 18:46)
- “He knows what is in the heavens and earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.” (At-Taghabun 64:4)
- “O You who believe, if any from among you should [turn back from faith] then Allah will assuredly bring a people He loves and who loves Him…” (Quran 5: 54)
- “Say (O Muhammad): He is God [Who is] One, God, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.” (Quran, 112)
- “Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose) and that you would not be brought back to Us?” (Quran 23:115)
- “And among the people there is he who sells himself for the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is Kind to His worshippers.” (Quran 2:207)
- “And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (Quran 51:56)
The purpose of our life is the worship of our Creator in the many ways there are to worship Him, prayer, help others, seek knowledge, etc. Human moral standards are universal and have been well-known to mankind throughout the ages. A faithful Muslim believes that the Quran carries a universal truth inside it. Allah says:
وَمَن كَانَ فِي هَٰذِهِ أَعْمَىٰ فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَىٰ وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا
“And whoever is in this (world) blind, then he in the Hereafter (will be) blind, and more astray (from the) path.” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:72)
Good and evil are not myths to be hunted out. They are well-known realities and are equally well-understood by all. The sense of good and evil is inherent in the very nature of man. To live a life without fussing too much about the purpose of life itself would be simple. The majestic plan of Allah is perfect. Everyone can always worship God directly. Allah says:
الَّذِينَ يَسْتَحِبُّونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ بَعِيدٍ
“Those who love more the life (of) the world than the Hereafter, and hinder from (the) Path (of) Allah, and seek in it crookedness, those [in] (are) far astray.” (Surah Ibrahim 14:3)
God describes this life as a test, and people are tested in different ways. We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we react. Patience during adversities and gratitude for blessings is a means of getting closer to God and attaining eternal Paradise. We are also warned of a terrible punishment in Hell if we choose to disbelieve and ignore His commands. We should fulfil this purpose of our life. We must come to know our Creator, Sustainer, and Ultimate Judge.
