Life is so busy these days. In this era of materialism, there is hardly any time to ponder upon the spiritual side of life. But sometimes, when one is tired of the busy life schedule and consistent pursuits, there might be an inner feeling, perhaps asking oneself, a very relevant question – what is this all about? What is life? Why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence?
The religion, especially Islam provides a concrete answer to this crucial matter. A scientific explanation about the creation of the Universe and human beings is suggested in the “Big Bang” theory. Perhaps a layman’s explanation of this theory can be summarized as it just started accidentally and passing through a series of evolutions, we reached the state, where we are now. Contrary to this theory, mainly popular amongst the materialists, the religious approach towards the concept of the creation of this universe is entirely different.
Islam expressly describes this critical issue. It tells us that it was not an accidental happening; rather it was done purposefully, only by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, Who is the Creator of this entire Universe; the earth, and the heavens and everything in between them. The Creator of this Universe and everything in it, either visible or invisible, is only One Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. The visible aspect of this concept belongs to life in this world, whereas the invisible side of life is the life hereafter.
In this blog, we will explore the spiritual side of life and the existence of Humans from the Islamic perspective. Keep reading!
Why This Universe – The Islamic Perspective
Islam explains that the creation of this entire Universe is based on the core concept of “knowing and worshiping Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى”. The Quran provides a detailed description of this most crucial concept. There are many verses in the Quran that explain the reasons and purposes of the creation of the Universe, especially Humans.
The 54th verse of Surah Al-A’raf specifically mentions how this universe was created. It also explains the time frame of the creation of the Universe.
Translation
Surely your Lord is God who created the heavens and the earth in six spans of time, then assumed all power. He covers up the day with night which comes chasing it fast, and the sun and moon and the stars are subject to His command. It is His to create and enjoin. Blessed be God, the Lord of all the worlds.
The above verse specifically mentions that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Created this universe in six days, including the earth and the heavens. It also explains the creation of the sun, stars, and moon, especially mentioning the onset and ending of day and night.
The concept is further explained in the 59th verse of Surah Al-Furqan, where it is specifically mentioned that after creating the earth and the heavens, in six days, Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, assumed the Authority over His Creations.
Translation
He created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them in six spans then assumed His authority. He is the benevolent: Ask those who are well-informed.
Further, in the 4th verse of Surah Al-Hadid, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى establishes His Authority on all the activities, happening on the earth and in the heavens.
Translation
It is He who created the heavens and the earth in six stages, then assumed the throne. He knows whatsoever enters the earth, and whatsoever comes out of it, and what comes down from the sky and what goes up to it; and He is with you wheresoever you may be, and He perceives whatsoever you do.
Likewise, the 7th verse of Surah Houd, specifically describes the concept of resurrection, while confirming the Creation of the Universe by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. It is established here that the resurrection is a reality and not the sorcery.
Translation
It is He who created the heavens and the earth In six spans, and has control over the waters (of life) so that he may bring out the best that every one of you could do. Yet if you said to them: “You shall certainly be raised from the dead,” the unbelievers will say: “This will be nothing but sorcery.”
Some other verses in the Quran provide comprehensive explanations about the creation of the Universe. In short, the whole concept can be summarized as under:
- The creation of this Universe was not accidental. It was done purposely by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
- Everything in the Universe was created in six days by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. It further supports the concept that it was not an accidental creation.
- The Universe consists of the Earth, the heavens, the sun, the stars, and the moon. It also consists of everything that exists between the earth and the heavens, including all life forms and Humans.
- Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Has the Authority and Control over all His Creations.
- All the humans will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection, establishing the reality of the concept of resurrection.
Per that insight, Islam establishes that the Universe and the Humans were purposefully created by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Why The Humans – The Islamic Perspective
Once the Creation of the Universe by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is established, the next question that arises in people’s minds must be the purpose of the creation of Humans. The concept is explicitly mentioned in various Quranic verses. It starts with the creation of the Prophet Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, the first Human, sent to this world by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Prophet Adam – The First Human
The creation of the Prophet Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is mentioned in different verses in the Quran, some of which are reproduced below:
The 30th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, not only explains the creation of Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ but also establishes that he will be His trustee (خَلِيْفَۃً) on the earth. It also establishes that humans were created to assume the role of the trustees of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Translation
Remember, when your Lord said to the angels: “I have to place a trustee on the earth,” they said: “Will You place one there who would create disorder and shed blood, while we intone Your litanies and sanctify Your name?” And God said: “I know what you do not know.”
The same subject is also mentioned in the 11th verse of Surah Houd, in a different context.
Translation
Verily We created you and gave you form and shape, and ordered the angels to bow before Adam in homage; and they all bowed but Iblis who was not among those who bowed.
Here it is mentioned that the Humans were created with a distinction over the Angels. That describes the significance of the creation of humans.
Purpose of Creation and Existence of Humans – Islamic Viewpoint
It is widely believed that the purpose of creation and the existence of humans on this earth primarily consists of five objectives, based on various Quranic verses and Hadiths:
- Knowing and Worshiping Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
- Being Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى deputy (خَلِيْفَۃً) on the earth.
- For tests and trials on this earth, we expect them to remain steadfast on the right path.
- Pursuit of Knowledge – knowledge about Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and whatever has been created by Him.
- Getting ready to face the Day of Resurrection, the life hereafter.
· Knowing And Worshiping Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
The 56th verse of Surah Adh-Dhariyat confirms the core purpose of creation and the existence of humans.
Translation
I have not created the jinns and men but to worship Me
Here, the concept of knowing Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى also involves, as it is one of the basic requirements of worship, you cannot worship Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى without knowing Him. The ultimate reason for the creation of mankind, as explained in the above verse, is to worship One Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
The concept of worshiping Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is a vast subject. Just restricting it to religious rituals is not justified. In a broader sense, the concept of worship also covers the whole life of a person, which may include sincerely performing the assigned work/job, behavior towards family and community, personal conduct, charity, and so on. A person is required to accomplish all this with the sole purpose of Pleasing Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
· Being Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Deputy (خَلِيْفَۃً) on The Earth
The second important purpose of the creation and existence of mankind is described as being the Deputy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى “Khalifah – خَلِيْفَۃً) on the earth. It is mentioned in the Quran with reference to the creation of the Prophet Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, the first Human on this earth. At the event of creation of Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, it was clarified that Adam will represent Him on earth as His Khalifah. This expression is often translated as ‘trustee or deputy”. The event is mentioned in the 30th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, explaining one of the purposes of the creation of mankind.
The purpose of humans’ existence on this earth is, therefore, to play the role of trustee of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى on this earth. However, this also entrusts humans with a certain level of responsibility, including displaying justice among the community and utilizing the resources wisely and judiciously. It is quite a vast subject in its implications, as it involves many aspects of life, where humans have to be aware of their role as Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى trustees.
· Tests and Trials on This Earth
Humans are sent to this world by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, not without a specific purpose. One of the core purposes is mentioned in the Quran, as trials and tests. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى sends hardships and difficult times to test the behavior and patience of humans. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى puts His servants to trials, just to test their responses and deeds. It should be taken as a challenge and we should try to pass through this phase of tests and trials, strictly under the teachings of Islam. The challenges or trials might come in different aspects of life, such as poverty, excessive wealth, health, and interpersonal relationships. The purpose is to test the steadfastness of humans.
Verses 1 and 2 of Surah Al-Mulk describe it as under:
Translation
- BLESSED BE HE who holds the (reins of) Kingship in His hand, who has power over everything,
- Who created death and life in order to try you to see who of you are best of deed? He is all-mighty and forgiving,
· Pursuit of Knowledge
The first Divine revelation, sent upon the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, at the time of entrusting him the Prophethood, are the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq. In these verses, the Prophet is urged to “read”. Hence it becomes the first Divine Message for mankind, through the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to read for seeking knowledge about the creation of the universe and everything in it.
Translation
- READ IN THE name of your Lord who created,
- Created man from an embryo;
- Read, for your Lord is most beneficent,
- Who taught by the pen,
- Taught man what he did not know.
So, the Message is quite clear. Humans are required to gain knowledge, not only to understand their own creation but also to seek the knowledge of what has been created for them, by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. In a broader sense, it also implies that knowledge is not restricted to religion only but also involves worldly knowledge. Hence, it is one of the basic responsibilities of mankind to pursue knowledge.
· Getting Ready to Face The Day of Resurrection, The Life Hereafter
The concept of the life hereafter is one of the fundamental beliefs in Islamic theology. The purpose of human creation and existence on this earth includes preparing to face the Day of Resurrection during worldly life. Accordingly, a person is expected to get ready for the life hereafter. The best preparation to face that day is to act strictly per the teachings of Islam. It not only pertains to the performance of religious duties but also to living a righteous way of life, which covers all the social aspects of worldly life.
The concept of the Day of Judgement or the life hereafter is mentioned in different verses of the Quran. The 185th verse of Surah Al-e-Imran describes the Day of Resurrection and the rewards and punishments for the deeds committed in this world.
Translation
Every soul will know the taste of death. You will get your recompense in full on the Day of Resurrection, and he who is spared the Fire and finds his way to Paradise will meet his desire. As for the life of this world, it is nothing but a merchandise of vanity.
The concept is further explained in the 64th verse of Surah Al-Ankabut.
Translation
The life of this world is only a sport and play. It is surely the home of the Hereafter that will indeed be life extended and new, if only they knew!
Hadith References on the Purpose of Human Existence
So many Hadiths are available in the authentic Hadith collections that explain the very purpose of the existence of humans in this world. Some of these are reproduced below for quick reference:
Hadith 2956 of Sahih Muslim emphasizes that the worldly life is a test and trial for the believers.
Translation
The world is a prison-house for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer.
This Hadith quoted above emphasizes the significance of the life hereafter and that worldly struggles are a part of the trials and tests of faith.
Hadith 2417 of Jami At-Tirmidhi explains the prerequisites for entering paradise.
Translation
The feet of the slave of Allah shall not move [on the Day of Judgement] until he is asked about five things: about his life and what he did with it, about his knowledge and what he did with it, about his wealth and how he earned it and where he spent it on, about his body and for what did he wear it out.
In the context of the purpose of human existence in this world, the above Hadith emphasizes the righteous approach towards the preparations of a person to face the Day of Judgement.
Likewise, Hadith number 1 of Sahih Al-Bukhari explains the importance of intention as under:
Translation
The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.
That means the outcome of any action or deed is based on what was the intention behind it. So, any act or deed committed to please Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, will be counted towards worship, which is the core purpose of creation and existence of humans.
Conclusion
The humans are one of the most important creations of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Humans are assigned the role of the trustees of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, on this earth. Hence, their creation was not without a purpose. The same is also true for their existence in this world. The main purpose of human existence is to know and worship Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
As mentioned in various Quranic verses and Hadiths, humans were created for worshiping Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Additionally, they are required to perform as the Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى trustees. Other purposes of their existence include seeking knowledge, preparing themselves for the Day of Judgement, and facing the challenges of hardships in worldly life, as a test and trial of their steadfastness to the core belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
