In the Name of ALLAH, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to ALLAH, and peace and blessings be upon His
Messenger.
Dear brother in Islam, we'd like, first of all, to voice our appreciation for
the great confidence you repose in us. We implore ALLAH Almighty to help us
serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.
Responding to your question, we'd like to cite for you the following:
“Have you ever asked yourself the questions:
“What is the purpose of L I F E?” “My life?” “Your Life?”
Many thinking people frequently ponder these questions. But each person may try
to answer these questions in diverse ways.
Worshipping ALLAH, the One True Almighty God of the Universe, as a primary goal
or aim in life provides a believer with everything he needs to succeed both in
this life and the Hereafter.
The word for total surrender, submission, obedience, purity of heart and peace
in the Arabic language is Islam. Those who try to perform these actions are
called Muslims.
To a Muslim the whole purpose of life is to worship ALLAH, the One True Almighty
God on His Terms and under His Conditions.
The term “worship” to a Muslim includes any and all acts of obedience to
Almighty ALLAH. So his purpose of life is a standing purpose; worshipping ALLAH
by accepting ALLAH’s Will over his own.
This act of `ibadah (worshipping, thanking and extolling the Greatness of
Almighty ALLAH on His Terms and Conditions) is for the Muslim, something
throughout his whole life regardless of the stage. Whether he is a child,
adolescent, adult or aged person, he is seeking after the Will of the Almighty
in all these stages.
His life here on earth although short, is full of purpose and is totally
meaningful within the complete framework of total submission (Islam).
Similarly, in the Next Life, his faith, intentions, attitudes and good deeds
will all be weighed into his account as favorable putting him in high esteem
with his Creator and Sustainer.
Because Islam teaches that this life is only a test for the individual to show
him his true nature, it is only natural that he will accept death as a beginning
of the final and lasting life in the Hereafter rather than just an end.
Before entering into either of the final lodging places i.e.; Heaven or Hell,
there must be a Day of Judgment or showing of one's true self to and thereby
understand the implications of one’s life on the earth.
Every person will be rewarded (or punished) according to their attitude,
appreciation and efforts during this stay on earth. No one will be asked about
the actions and beliefs of others, nor will anyone be asked about what he was
unaware of or incapable of doing.
As the life here is considered as an examination or test for the individual, the
death stage is considered as a resting period after the test. It could be easy
for those who were faithful and dedicated or it could be grueling and horrible
for the wicked.
Reward and punishment will be in direct proportion to each person and it is only
ALLAH alone who will be the Final Judge over us all.
The line of life and its purpose is logical, clear and simple:
1- The first life is a test.
2- The life in the grave is a resting or waiting place before the Day of
Judgment.
3- The Day of Judgment brings about the clear understanding of what will happen
to the individual based on his own desires and actions.
4- The Permanent or Afterlife will either be spent in luxurious splendor or
miserable punishment.
Following this clear understanding of life, the Muslim’s purpose is clear.
First of all, he has no doubt in his mind that:
- He is only created by ALLAH.
- He is going to spend a period of time in this material world.
- He knows he will die.
- He knows he will spend time in the grave, either pleasant or difficult,
depending on his own choice of attitude and actions.
- He knows he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment.
- He knows he will be judged according to the most fair of standards by ALLAH
the Almighty.
- He knows his attitudes and actions are going to come under very close
scrutiny.
- He knows that this short life compared to the Eternal Life in fact, only for a
test.
This life is very meaningful and purposeful to the Muslim, as he realizes that
it will determine his outcome and permanent position in the Next Life.
The purpose of life, as understood by the Muslim, can be simply stated in only
two words:
Obey God.
Our only purpose and salvation lie in these two words.
We must come to know our Creator, Sustainer and Ultimate Judge. We must learn to
believe in Him, thank Him, praise Him, honor Him and worship Him, alone without
any partners from His Creation. We must learn about His Messengers and Prophets
(peace be upon them) and the message with which they were all sent. We must
learn the Word of God as it was directly revealed, preserved and memorized and
passed down by memory throughout all the generations of Muslims to the present
day.
Those who are in search of truth, having open minds and hearts will recognize
this as a message in truth and sincerity.
Open your heart and your mind now and pray to the Almighty God of the Universe
to guide you now to His True Way. And then be ready to accept your true purpose
in life."