The Purpose of our Creation
The purpose of our creation is bifurcated into two broad categories as specifically mentioned in Quran – Purpose no. 1) To do Abd- To Worship, Serve, Exalt & Glorify Allah and Purpose no. 2) For Test & Accountability.
Purpose # 1- To do Abd of Allah
[Quran 51: 56] “I did not create the jinn and mankind except to (Leyabodoon)/Abd for ONLY Me.
As per the above ayah, the purposes of our creation is to do Abd- normally translated as to worship, glorify, exalt and serve Allah and to do HIS tasbih. Please refer to the following ayahs.
[Quran- 24:41] Do you not see that Allah is exalted by whomever is within the heavens and the earth and the birds with wings spread? Each has known their Salat and Tasbih, and Allah is Knowing of what they do.
Non-Living things and Living Things- Also exalt, worship, & serve Allah
[Quran- 17:44] “The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, do HIS Tasbih/declare His glory: There is not a thing except that it exalts His glory: and yet you understand not how they declare His glory.
As per above ayahs, we realize that everyone and everything in the universe knows their Tasbih, I.e. birds, animals, insects, rivers, seas, oceans, stones, mountains, earth, planets, stars, and humans as well. Also note the exact phrase is “there is not a thing that does not Exalt Allah’s Glory”. So what does it mean by exalting or glorifying Allah by Living and non-living things other than Humans?
[Quran 57:1] Whatever is in the heavens and on earth declared the glory of Allah.
When it comes to animals – what is truly worth thinking and pondering from these ayahs is “Do they have their own revelation from GOD almighty like we had as humans? Or was the act of glorifying and exalting Allah embedded in their DNA. Definitely animals don’t have a book, so the programmed DNA is the only answer, it seems, in addition to an instinct to survive, the exalting to Allah, the glorifying HIM and doing of HIS Tasbih, is a part of their DNA, their Fitrat, and in their nature, unlike us as humans.
[Quran 62:1] Whatever is in the heavens and on earth declared the glory of Allah, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
[Quran 13:13] And thunder glorifies Him and repeats His praises, and so do the angels, with awe.
What about the non living things such as thunders, water in oceans, stones, mountains, planets and stars, how do they know their tasbih, how do they serve, exalt and glorify Allah since they do not have a DNA and nothing can be embedded in them? The most logical explanation is that the heavens and the earth, the angels, and thunder do their Tasbeeh as a constitutional component of their creation. They simply follow their own role in the Allah’s grand system as is being defined and ordained by Allah, serving, exalting and glorifying Allah as is ordained and constituted for them by Allah. Each and every creation in this universe, both living and non-living, is working and performing their tasks exactly as they have been designed for, and definitely there is no accountability for them on the day judgment except us as humans, as only us as humans have been gifted with freewill and Allah’s Revelations.
If everything is already exalting Allah, why did ALLAH create us?-
When other creations of Allah have been performing this task for so many years even before us why did Allah created us as Humans? If we do worship by uttering words from our mouth, as exalting, serving or glorifying Allah, this has already been performed by these other creations of God almighty both living and non living things in the universe smoothly since billions of years without any deviation and their quantity in numbers are millions of times larger than humans.
There has to be a Much Higher Purpose of Our Creation then just to worship, exalt and glorify Allah. Since we as humans have All the God-Given faculties of our 6 senses, our reasoning and intellect, our freewill gift from God Almighty; and a revelation of Quran to guide us how to live our lives. It is very obvious that our worship must be in accordance with these three aspects, i.e. our freewill, our faculties of reasoning and intellect and the revelations by God Almighty. Let’s take a deep look at the main ayah again:
[Quran 51: 56] “I did not create the jinn and mankind except to (Leyabodoon)/Abd for ONLY Me.
Since our DNA is not PROGRAMMED like animals, we do have ability to make our own choices, therefore the worship of Allah for us is basically meant as “following the commandments in Quran and guidelines by GOD ALMIGHTY given in Quran”.
The Concept of Glorifying Allah: As per the normal beliefs, Tasbih means glorifying Allah. In order to highlight the concept of glorifying or praising Allah, lets discuss the following ayah- the event of Prophet’s Younus being chased/caught by a fish:
[Quran- Surah As-Saaffat 37, Verse 143-144] But had it not been that he was of those who does “Sabah”. He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected”
The word “Sabbah” as in Mussabeheen in the above ayah and also the root word for tasbih, is normally translated as to glorify and praise Allah, but actual meanings of the word is “to make quick successive movements with hands and/or legs in air or in water so as to swim; to make efforts with your whole being; to work hard in a quick persistent efforts with full force; to struggle; to strive towards something or someone with your whole being”.
In these Ayahs, God is saying that even the prophet has to struggle, try with his full force and strength in order to get out of the fish and swim to the shore, otherwise he would have stayed in the belly until the day of resurrection. Keep in mind this the prophet Allah is talking about, so for us as normal Muslims, the concept of Saaiye, to strive for something with our whole being, is very much stressed in Quran times and times again. Refer to the following ayah.
[Quran 53:39] And that for Ins/Human (Insaan) shall have nothing but what he/she strives for
The concept of glorying Allah or praising Allah by simply uttering few words from your mouth or performing a certain ritual is not substantiated by Quran and this is NOT the purpose of our creation. Our purpose is to do Abd of Allah, by following the commandments of Allah in Quran, striving with our whole being towards this path and utilizing all our faculties to its maximum including the faculty of reasoning and intellect.
Meanings of the Word Abd-Ibadaat- as per Quran: The concept of Abd has a dual meaning of “efforts & comfort” that is one has to do efforts and go through difficulties first in order to achieve the true benefits of and comfort later- Refer the following examples
When a horse is being trained to utilize all its strength and abilities, there is a process of harnessing and breaking that horse, which is called “Taabed” in Arabic with the same root word.
Abd is also a plant which has huge benefits for camel in terms of strength, nourishment and increased milk. But when camel eats this plant, it becomes thirsty. Therefore, the consumption of plant although has initial difficulties, efforts but finally leads to strength, nourishment and increase of milk for the camel.
When the road is being made to make it hard, strong and smooth, the whole process that it goes through in order to get strengthened is also called “Tabeed” with the same root word.
From all the above examples, we can understand that the word ‘Abd’ means any thing that is hugely beneficial, but in order to get the real benefits one has to do efforts, strive for and/or suffer initial difficulties for a short period of time but these efforts lead to something beneficial with huge benefits for the long term.
Does the Word Abd mean to utter few words, or perform a ritual? – The root word of the word Leyabadoon is “Abd” The purpose of our existence is thus stated in the Qur’an is to do Abd- normally believed to be in the meanings of “worship Allah”. Contrary to the general concept of Muslims that Ibaadat or abd means to worship Allah or to glorify Allah, it does not mean uttering few words from our mouth or perform a certain act of ritual, as we all know there is no striving, or struggle or efforts in performing simple rituals of worship or uttering few words from our mouth.
Abd means following the God-Given Laws, Rules and Regulations as per Deen-e-Islam, Allah’s commandments as clearly mentioned and outlined in Quran which might be difficult and may involve struggle, and efforts for a temporary period but once adopted and followed, these rules are embodiment of great benefits not only for the person applying these laws in his/her life but for the whole of mankind and Allah’s creations.
Why Abd by Humans- How does it Serve Allah? We all know, we make things to get some benefits or to perform some specific functions for us, in other words, to serve us. God has made us to do Abd for him; but our Abd is not for the Benefit of Allah. There is one major difference; it is for the benefit of His creations. Refer the following Ayahs and note that these ayahs are just after the ayah #56 “I did not create the jinn and mankind except to (Leyabodoon)/Abd for ONLY Me”
[Quran 51:57-58] I do not want from them any RIzq nor do I want them to feed ME. Indeed it is ALLAH who is the provider of Rizq and Firm possessor of Strength”
The Above ayahs clearly highlighted that Allah does not wants us to serve Allah as HE does not need any thing from us. By doing ABD, we are not benefiting Allah, but ourselves, Allah’s Creations, the community we’re living in and the whole of mankind.
Purpose # 2- for Test & Accountability:
[Quran 23:115}] “Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?”
The Qur’an informs us that Allah has created us for test, trial and accountability here on earth. The purpose of our creation is test and trial. In fact if you think of it, this earthly life is a perfect testing ground, a perfect examination hall for all of us; the whole concept of heaven and hell, the gift of freewill and freedom of choice and decision, our time here on earth, the Allah’s Revelations for guidance; everything is for the test, trial and accountability of us as humans by our creator- the God Almighty.
Please refer the following ayahs- notice the phrase “that we may test/try him/her”:
[Quran 76:1-3] Has there come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing worth mentioned? Indeed, We created Insaan/mankind from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him/her; and We made hearing and seeing. Indeed, We gave him Hidayah (guided him) to the path/way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.
As per Qur’an, Emaan is a conviction based on reasoning and knowledge; a conviction that results from full mental acceptance and intellectual satisfaction. Emaan on Allah and Emaan on Akhira are the two significant basic foundations of Deen, the Emaan on the last day is based on the concept of accountability for each and every action and belief that we have. To each and every soul, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the concept of accountability is there. Refer the following ayahs
[Quran 2:8-9] “And of the people are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” but they are not believers. They deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive not.”
[Quran 02:62] Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans – those who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did good deeds – will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
How and through what are we tested:
[Quran 29:2-3] Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make known those who are true, and will certainly make known those who are liars
Allah intends for us to go through this trial and testing for a limited duration, the punishment and rewards of which will be in accordance with our behaviour/ success or failure with respect to these tests. Allah tests us with different kinds of trials such as Zeenat, calamities, and tribulations, so that the Momin may be known from the kaafir; the truthful may be distinguished from the liar, the obedient from the disobedient, the grateful from the ungrateful and so on so forth.
[Quran 2:155-157] And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Saabiroon. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and receive His Raham, and it is they who are the guided ones”
As is obvious from above Ayahs, Allah tests us, sometimes with calamities such as fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, loss of rizq etc. and sometimes with blessings, to show who will be thankful and who will be ungrateful, and who will obey and who will disobey. Refer the following ayahs
[Quran 21:35] …and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned”
[Quran 8:28] And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial and that surely, with Allah is a mighty reward
[Quran- 18:7] Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth Zyn/Zeenat/Adornment for it that We may test them which of them is best/Ahsan in deed.
This trial of us, is also through Zeenat, our wealth, our children, our spouses and our God-given faculties; i.e. how we approach these Zeenat, the attractions in this life and how we use our god given faculties is a test and trial for us. This means that how we utilize our god given faculties, our six senses, our faculties of intellect and reasoning, in the best possible manner for the benefit of the mankind and for Allah’s creations, will determine our success or failure in Allah’s tests. Similarly, wealth and children are a trial by means of which Allah tests us to know who will give thanks for them, and who will be distracted from Allah’s path by them. Also, wherever Allah mentions the provision of wealth, income and prosperity, Quran asks us to spend from them on those who are less fortunate than us. This is how we are tested from our wealth and prosperity.
[Quran 42:30] And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.
[Quran 23:76] And indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allah) with submission to Him
[Quran 9:126] See they not that they are put in trial once or twice every year? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they learn a lesson
As obvious from above ayahs, sometimes Allah tests those who are on the wrong path with calamities; when they commit sin, He punishes them with calamities so that they might come back to him. Allah is merciful; It is part of the mercy of Allah that disasters befall sinners in this world, so that their souls might be purified and they might come back to Allah before they die. Allah sends repeated tribulations so that they may do Tauba, return and repent to Him, and give up that which Allah has forbidden, and so that Allah might forgive.
What will happen on the day of Judgment?
[Quran 39:69] And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the BOOK (QURAN) will be placed, and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought, and it will be judged between them in Haq- Absolute truth and Justice, and they will not be wronged.
The basic fundamental of Islam is the Concept of Test, trial and accountability on the Day of Judgment. All humans who have lived on earth are accountable and answerable on that day for their beliefs and deeds. God Almighty will hold us accountable for all our doings, and only He can be the true judge of our Emaan and deeds.
[Quran 88:25–26] Verily, to Us will be their return, then verily, for Us will be their Reckoning
We must know, understand and follow the teachings of Quran as its through this Quran that we will be judged. Consider Quran as a course book, this life on earth the examination hall and the day of judgement the day when our results will be marked and announced.
[Quran 99:6-8] On that day men shall come forth in sundry bodies that they may be shown their works. So he who has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it. And he who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.
The Concept of Scales of Justice
[Quran 21:47] And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
Quran gives us the concept of scales of justice. The accountability is based on the scales of justice on the day of judgement and the final abode will be based on that scale.
[Quran 23:102-103] [23:102] And those whose scales are heavy – it is they who are the successful. But those whose scales are light – those are the ones who have lost their souls, in Hell, abiding eternally.
No Soul will carry the burden of another
[Quran 17:15] Whoever chooses to follow the right path, follows it but for his own good; and whoever goes astray, goes but astray to his own loss; and no bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another’s burden
[Quran 35:18 ] And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls to its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he/she should be a close relative. You can only warn those who fear their Lord unseen ….
These verses tell us that in the Final Judgment we are accountable for our actions, no one will bear the burden of another and no injustice will be done to anyone. The Qur’an makes it perfectly clear that all humans will be questioned about their actions on the Day of Judgment. No one bears the sins of another person unless he/she was in any way complicit in committing them. No one is held accountable for another person’s misdeeds.
[Quran 6:164] And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ
[Quran 53:38-41] That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And that there is not for man except that for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen. Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense.
Conclusion
The purpose of our creation is twofold. First and foremost, the purpose of our creations as human beings on this earth is to do Abd of Allah. We need to think and ponder, how are we different from the universe? When Allah says that everyone and everything exalt and worship God almighty, why did GOD needed to create us as human beings. Human’s tasbih and Ibadah of God Almighty is not automatic like other creations of Allah, due to our free will and our God- Given faculties- our 6 senses, including reasoning and intellect and Allah’s Revelations in the form of Quran. We are supposed to do Abd and Saiyee i.e. make efforts with our whole being, submit and follow the commandments of God Almighty. The word Abd has a combination of initial temporary hardship/efforts followed by Long-term benefits/comfort. The Word Abd means to follow Allah’s commandments, the God-Given Rules and Regulations as outlined in Quran, the following of which may involve a temporary period of struggle and efforts but it involved huge benefits for the person, the mankind and Allah’s other creations.
Secondly the purpose of our creation is for testing, trial and accountability. According to Quran, God created mankind to test us through trial, tribulations, Zeenat and the use of our God Given Faculties, including our 6 senses and our intellect/reasoning. The concept of heaven and hell, the gift of freewill, the concept of accountability on the day of judgment, the tests and trials on this earth, the temporary earthly life as an examination hall, Quran as Hidayah the main Course book for this examination, the day of judgment as the result day; all of this is based on the purpose of our creation to test and try us. Allah does not intend life on this earth to be necessarily be comfortable or satisfying but merely a trial for limited duration, the punishment and rewards of which will be due in the Hereafter on the concept of scales of justice, where even an atom weight of our deeds will be held accounted for. If the scale of justice is heavier, we will go to heaven, if its light, the final abode will be hell.