SO WHY ARE WE HERE?
THE PURPOSE OF LIFE ON EARTH
The one and only purpose for which Allah Ta’ala has created us and despatched us for a temporary stay on earth in His ibadat. Hence, the Qur’aan Shareef states:
“I have not created jinn and man, but that they render Ibaadat to Me.”
There are many dimensions and categories of Ibadat. A Muslim’s entire life – all aspects of his life, be it material, spiritual or moral – operates within the confines of the Ibaadat for which Allah Ta’ala has creted him. A Mulsim venturing beyond the demarcation of such Divine Ibadat which regulates his whole life, is guilty of transgression and rebellion against Allah Ta’ala. It is, therefore, of fundamental importance and in the interests of our salvation in the Aakhirah that we understand well that for a Muslim it is imperative to subject all facets of life to the understanding and demand of the Shariat. His opinion, whim, desire and interpretation must necessarily be sacrificed and abandoned when coming into conflict with the dictates of the Shariat of Allah Azza Wa Jal.
Since the purpose of creation of mankind and jinnkind and of our sojourn here is to render Ibadat – total obedience to Allah Ta’ala – and since our stay here is but for a while, it is only intelligent that we do not lose sight of the onward journey, the goal of which will be Jannat where the total and perfect victory and prosperity will be attained. Intelligence demands that we do not over-burden ourselves with mundane and material preoccupations which constitute impediments in our road unto the Aakhairat. Sayyiduna Uthmaan Bin Affaan (radiyallahu anhu) said in this regard:
“Verily, Allah Ta’ala awarded the dunyaa to you so that you may search for Aakhirat by means of it. Allah Ta’ala did not give the world to you so that you incline towards it. Verily, the world will perish and Aakhirat will endure forever. Therefore, do not let this perishable abode reduce you to transgression nor permit it to divert your attention from the everlasting abode. So give priority to the everlasting over the perishable”.
The dunyaa is the means of attaining the Aakhirat – the success and prosperity of Jannat. It is not the end of our life. It is not the purpose of our life. It is a mere vehicle to transport us to the next phase of our march to Jannat. Therefore, it does not behove us to rivet our attention onto this world nor is it intelligent to expend all our energies, physical and moral resources in the attainment and perfection of our material life.