Islam is the response to humanity’s search for meaning. The purpose of creation for all men and women for all times has been one: To know and worship God. God created man to serve Him, meaning that men should believe in the One God and do good. This is the object of human life. This superiority gives the man the ability to progress both materially and spiritually. 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. Allah says:
وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِيَ خَلْقَهُ قَالَ مَن يُحْيِي الْعِظَامَ وَهِيَ رَمِيمٌ
“And he sets forth for Us an example and forgets his (own) creation. He says, “Who will give life (to) the bones while they (are) decomposed?” (Surah Ya-Sin 36:78)
Islam addresses the reason of what and why of human existence. 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 Almighty created man to serve Him, meaning that men should believe in the One Lord and do well. This is the main objective of human life. Allah says:
هُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“It is He who sends down upon His Servant [Muhammad] verses of clear evidence that He may bring you out from the darkness into the light. And indeed, Allah is to you Kind and Merciful.” (Al-Hadid 57:9)
This life is a preparation for the Hereafter the ‘Eternal Home’ that will not be going to an end to which all human beings ultimately go. So, Muslims are required to observe righteousness in their daily life, based on Quranic teachings, like eating halal food, wearing modest clothing, performing prayers, giving alms, etc, because they live for Allah alone. And to those who aim to attain nearness to Him, Almighty Allah sees to it.
The Purpose of Life and the Reason:
- Focus on what is in your control & try best
- Life here is considered as an examination
- Religion is to know the purpose of life
- All human beings have One God
- If bad happens, have patience
- Think you will be accountable
- God sees everything you do
- Think you will return to God
- Having patience & humility
- Earning an honest living
- Be conscious of your God
- Providing for one’s family
- Having mindfulness of God
- Next Life as well, is our faith
- If good happens, be grateful
- A Muslim has a noble purpose
- Looking after the environment
- Money is not the main purpose of life
- Nothing happens except by His permission
- Hope in God’s Mercy and fear of His punishment
It is part of God’s infinite wisdom that He created us and allowed us to know Him and to experience our lives and make our own choices. Islam is a complete and practical way of life that teaches Muslims to be balanced, decent and contributing members of society. The concept of worship in Islam does not only include praying and supplicating to God.
Quranic Verses About Our Purpose In Life:
- “I have not created men except that they should serve Me.” (Quran, 51:56)
- “Respond to your Lord before a Day comes from Allah of which there is no repelling. No refuge will you have that day, nor for you will there be any denial.” (Ash-Shura 42:47)
- “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)
- “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah are hearts assured.” (Ar-Ra’d 13:28)
- “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)
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. Allah says:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَكَفُورٌ
“And He (is) the One Who gave you life then He will cause you to die then He will give you life (again). Indeed, man (is) surely ungrateful.” (Surah Al-Hajj,22:66)
All human beings will die, the ultimate goal of life in this world is the eventual meeting with the Creator in the hereafter. What one has to do is to believe in God and follow His commands in doing righteousness. Allah says:
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“And certainly We created you then We fashioned you. Then We said to the Angels, “Prostrate to Adam,” So they prostrated, except Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated.”(Surah Al-A`raf 7:11 )
God lays out the social fabric of human society, which lies in the family. God could have created multiple families instead of Adam and Eve in the beginning, but He chose to create Adam and Eve and spread humanity from their seed. Islamic ethics considers the family to be the natural basis and cornerstone of a moral society. Allah says:
وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ
“And worship your Lord until comes to you the certainty.” (Surah Al-Hijr 15:99)
A family consists of a human couple and their (legal) children where both the man and woman have each essential roles to play in keeping the family happy and intact. Allah says:
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ
“He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Mulk 67:2)
Almighty Allah has guided people to the purpose of life that is worshipping Him and seeking His pleasure. The Holy Quran in this regard is one of the best ways of knowing how a person can fulfil this purpose of pleasing Almighty Allah and give meaning to his or her life. The main reason for our creation is worship. We should fulfil this purpose of our life. We must come to know our Creator, Sustainer and Ultimate Judge.
