“And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But the home of the Hereafter is best for those who are righteous. Will you not then understand?”
📖 Quran – Surah Al-An’am (6:32)
What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? These questions have puzzled humanity for centuries. In Islam, the answer is clear and profound: our purpose is to worship Allah, seek His pleasure, and strive for eternal success in the Hereafter.
Islam provides a clear and profound answer, guiding believers toward a life of meaning, balance, and ultimate success. Through the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we discover that our existence is not a mere coincidence but part of a grand divine plan.
A Young Man’s Quest for Meaning
Once upon a time in a small village, a young man named Ameen struggled with these very questions. He had wealth, friends, and good health, yet he felt an emptiness he couldn’t explain. One evening, he sat by a river, watching the flowing water, and wondered: Is there more to life than just working, eating, and sleeping?
An elderly traveler passed by and noticed Ameen’s troubled face. He smiled and said, “Son, are you searching for something?”
Ameen hesitated but then poured out his thoughts. The wise man nodded and said, “Come, let me tell you a story.”
1. Worshiping Allah – The Ultimate Purpose
The old man began: “Allah tells us clearly in the Quran why He created us.” Then he recited:
‘And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.’
(Quran 51:56)
“Worship,” he explained, “is not just praying and fasting. It is a way of life. Every act of goodness, kindness, and gratitude is a form of worship. When you are honest in business, kind to your neighbors, or patient in hardship, you are worshipping Allah.”.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said:
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.”
(Bukhari 6464, Muslim 2818)
Ameen reflected:
So, my life has a higher purpose—to serve and obey my Creator in everything I do
2. Seeking Knowledge and Understanding
The traveler continued: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, ‘Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.’” (Ibn Majah 224)
“Life is about learning and growing,” he said. “The more you understand your faith, the more you will find peace. Allah elevates those who seek knowledge.”
The Quran affirms:
‘Say, Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ (Quran 39:9)
Seeking knowledge is not limited to religious studies—it includes all forms of beneficial knowledge that contribute to the well-being of society, from medicine to science to ethics. Islam highly values education and critical thinking.
Ameen realized that knowledge would bring him closer to his purpose and help him lead a meaningful life.
“Read! In the name of your Lord who created.”
(Quran 96:1)
3. Being a Khalifah (Steward) on Earth
The wise man then spoke about responsibility: “Allah says in the Quran that He has made us ‘khalifah’ (stewards) on Earth.”
‘And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth…’ – (Quran 35:39)
Ameen asked, “What does that mean?”
“It means you must care for this world—be just, honest, and protect the environment. Your actions matter. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, ‘The world is beautiful and green, and verily Allah has made you stewards in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.’” (Muslim 2742)
Being a khalifah means working for justice, fairness, and righteousness in all aspects of life.
Islam teaches that believers should strive for justice and kindness in all aspects of life. Worship is not just personal devotion but also involves being a good member of society.
Helping others, standing against injustice, and spreading goodness are forms of worship that fulfill our divine purpose.
“Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.”
(Quran 16:90)
4. Living with Purpose through Good Deeds
The traveler smiled, “Every deed counts.” Then he shared a hadith:
“The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” – (Ahmad 23405)
Ameen was amazed. So, my purpose is also to serve others and spread goodness?
The Quran reinforces this by stating:
‘Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection.’ – (Quran 19:96)
Good deeds include charity, kindness, helping the needy, and standing up for justice. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Smiling at your brother is a charity.” – (Tirmidhi 1956)
Ameen now understood that his purpose extended to making the world a better place through small and big acts of goodness.
“And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter—that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.”
(Quran 29:64)
Islam reminds us of the temporary nature of this life and that this world is not the ultimate destination; it is a stepping stone to the Hereafter.
Understanding the temporary nature of this life helps Muslims focus on the eternal rewards rather than getting lost in worldly distractions.
5. Preparing for the Hereafter
Lastly, the old man said, “This life is temporary, but the Hereafter is eternal.”.
Since life is a test, the ultimate goal is to earn Allah’s pleasure and enter Paradise. A successful life in Islam is one where a person has lived in obedience to Allah and served humanity.
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while they are a believer—We will surely cause them to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” – (Quran 16:97)
“Live in a way that prepares you for a beautiful Hereafter,” he advised.
Ameen understood that his actions today would determine his eternal outcome, so he resolved to live with consciousness of the Hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) summarized the purpose of life beautifully:
“Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.”
(Sahih Bukhari 6416)
In Islam, life is a meaningful journey with a clear purpose: to worship Allah, seek knowledge, do good, and prepare for the Hereafter. Every action, big or small, can be an act of worship if done sincerely for Allah’s sake. By understanding this purpose, Muslims find peace, motivation, and a sense of direction in life.
May Allah guide us all to fulfill our purpose and attain success in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.
The Top 5 Purposes of Life in Islam
Ameen’s heart felt lighter as he understood his purpose. If you ever wonder why you are here, remember these five key purposes of life in Islam:
- Worship Allah – Acknowledge Him in all aspects of life.
- Seek Knowledge – Understanding your faith deepens your connection to Allah.
- Be a Steward on Earth – Live responsibly and uphold justice.
- Do Good Deeds – Serve others and spread kindness.
- Prepare for the Hereafter – Live wisely, knowing this world is temporary.
Ameen thanked the wise traveler and walked away with a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that his journey had just begun, but now he had direction—a path lit by faith and divine wisdom.
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