Meaning of the Life
“ Did you then think that We had created you without purpose, and that you would never be returned to Us? ”
Allah tells us the primary purpose of creation is to worship him. Allah does not need your worship but you need to.
When we think of worship, we think of praying, but actually, worship in Islam is far deeper than that.
Anything we love the most, or obey the most or rely upon the most is act of Worship
This means that every single one of us is worshiping something or someone at any time. For instance some people love money than anything so their purpose become gathering and collecting as much as they can. This love for money is act of Worship.
This reliance and dependance of others is an act of Worship. This is why Allah said in the Quran the following
“Have you seen ˹O Prophet˺ the one who has taken their own desires as their god? Will you then be a keeper over them?
When fulfilling our desires becomes our purpose, we have worshiped our own selves.
If this was what life was all about .. why are the richest people the emptiest? Why celebrities taking their own lives?
The answer is found in the Quran.
Know that this worldly life is no more than play, amusement, luxury, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children. This is like rain that causes plants to grow, to the delight of the planters. But later the plants dry up and you see them wither, then they are reduced to chaff. And in the Hereafter there will be either severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure of Allah, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment”
"whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment"
True fulfillment comes from directing all acts of worship to the creator, not creation.
What is my purpose?
Part of directing all acts of worship to the creator means fulfilling the purpose he created us for.
Like with anything created, the creator is the one who decides the purpose of his creation. Allah says in the Quran the following
“˹He is the One˺ Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.”
The test is to see how we live our lives in times of ease and times of difficulty. Will we resort to that which is good? Or will we resort to that which is bad?
“ We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure ” (Quran 2:115)
Since we all perceives what is Good and Bad differently, we cannot decide the standard. Which is why Allah has assured us that the Quran is the standard that clearly distinguishes between what is right and what is wrong.
“Blessed is the One Who sent down the Decisive Authority to His servant, so that he may be a warner to the whole world”
Islam has answers to all life questions.
The biggest indicator that the life is a test that no one has the perfect life. Allah has created us with different strengths and different weaknesses. Some people may have wealth and beauty but also be insecure. Some maybe intelligent and confident but also struggle with health problems.
In Islam, what we have does not matter. What matters what we do with wht we have.
“and that each person will only have what they endeavoured towards”
How we use our strength and weaknesses is what makes us superior in the eyes of Allah. It does not matter what color you're or gender you're or what status you're.
Superiority comes from your piety and your good action. As we have moral obligations, we also have religious obligations. Only until we do both, do we fulfill our true purpose, does Allah fill every heart with what is searching for, and that is Peace
“those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort. Those who believe and do good, for them will be bliss and an honourable destination.”
Allah has mentioned very clearly to us, by first drawing our attention to the creation of our own being. The different postures of the human body, the different attitudes of people. He draws our attention to the heavens. The alternation of the night and the day. The firmament, the stars, the constellations… And then He says to us that He has not created all of this for any foolish purpose! Because when you see the design of it, you know that the design of it is very powerful and very precise. And something very powerful and very precise that is beyond our own calculation and imagination – it cannot be foolish. It cannot be just thrown together
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason. ˹They are˺ those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ˹and pray˺, “Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
‘Our Lord! You have not created all this without purpose- You are far above that!
where I am going?
Fulfilling our purpose, isn't just to find peace and fulfillment in this life but also to prepare for what's to come after.
Without any judgment after we die, there is no justice. Otherwise, what real difference between a corrupt leader with money and power and children literally dying of starvation?
This is why Allah asks us if we really think that will be made equal to the righteous.
“Or do those who commit evil deeds ˹simply˺ think that We will make them equal—in their life and after their death—to those who believe and do good? How wrong is their judgment! ”
Which is why Allah promises to bring us back to life (after death on the judgement day) where we will all be judged on how we lived our lives.
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “˹It is˺ Allah ˹Who˺ gives you life, then causes you to die, then will gather you ˹all˺ on the Day of Judgment, about which there is no doubt. But most people do not know. ”
“Be mindful of the Day when you will ˹all˺ be returned to Allah, then every soul will be paid in full for what it has done, and none will be wronged. ”
If we were careless, oppressed others and spread corruption, we will be held accountable.
If we tool care of ourselves, fulfilled our obligations, and made the world a better place for others, we will be awarded.
No injustice will be done to anyone. Allah affirms this by telling us in the Quran.
“So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it. ”
Considering we all make mistakes, isn't the thought of being held accountable for every action worrying?
This is where the wisdom and mercy of Allah really shows. Firstly, doing more good deeds wipes out bad deeds.
“ Surely good deeds wipe out evil deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful”. (Quran 11:114)
Giving us more reasons to strive to do good and to further fulfill our purpose. This makes the world even better.
Secondly, even the prick of a thorn removes bad deeds. (Sahih Bukhari 5641). Meaning any mental or physical pain we go through benefits us on the day of judgment.
This allow us to find solace and comfort in the most difficult times.
Thirdly, why not just asking Allah for forgiveness ?
“Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful ”
Why religion?
A religion is a set of rules and belief that you live your life by.
If you don't wanna constrained by religion, you will be constrained by something else.
Whether it will be the rules you create yourself, or the rules your friends, culture or your society has imposed on you.
Considering Allah has told us that he has perfected the religion of Islam for humanity.
“Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way. But whoever is compelled by extreme hunger—not intending to sin—then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ”
Do we really think that any other rules we follow are going to be more fulfilling, more liberating than those provided by the creator?
Of course the next question is How can we be sure Islam is from the creator?
I could start by explaining the rational and intellectual foundations of Islam.
I could then show you a plethora of reasons why Quran cannot be made-made (Consistency, Memorization, Recitation, Language, History, Preservation, Falsification Tests, Science, Prophecies).
I could speak to you about Islamic history and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Since this topic is about the Purpose of life so, I am going to take another approach. Can you think of just one that is more fulfilling, more complete than the one that Islam provides?
- - Islam does not just give us the best incentives to make the most out of life but it also creates an environment for humanity as a whole to thrive.
- - Islam frees us from the worship of that which has no benefit and direct us to Allah, the maximally perfect and the only being worthy of our worship.
- - Islam teaches us that it does not matter who has the best mix of strengths and weaknesses, what matters is how we use/cope them.
- - Life being a test instantly explains why we go through difficult times and make them easier to manage as these times have wisdom and purpose.
- - Death becomes something to look forward to and not something to be afraid of.
- - The meaning of life in Islam applies to every human in the exact same way no matter who you're and where are your from.
Islam is simple, universal, natural and make sense.