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What is the Purpose of Life?

Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? One of the first questions that comes to mind when considering our purpose of life is, "where did we come from?" Are we here based on random natural coincidences or is there a higher intelligent being, a creator? Acknowledging the existence of a creator is the first step in understanding our true purpose in life. There are many logical and rational reasons for believing in a creator. Three reasons are briefly mentioned below.
1. Beginning of the Universe
One of the main pieces of evidence for the existence of God involves understanding how the universe began.
Imagine walking in a big desert and discovering a watch. We know that a watch is made up of different materials like glass, plastic, and metal. Glass comes from sand, plastic is made from oil, and metal is taken out of the ground—all of these things can be found in the desert. Would you believe that the watch just formed on its own? That the Sun's rays, the strong wind, lightning striking, oil coming up to the surface and mixing with the sand and metal, and millions of years of random events all happened together to create the watch?
Some individuals might inquire, "Who brought God into existence?" However, it is important to understand that God, as the Creator, exists separately from His creation. God is eternal, without a beginning, and has always existed. Hence, the question of who created God is fundamentally illogical and does not apply to His nature.
Based on human experience and simple logic, we can conclude that something with a beginning cannot emerge out of nothing or create itself. Therefore, the most reasonable explanation is that a superior "entity" brought about the existence of the universe. This entity must possess great power and intelligence, as it orchestrated the creation of the entire universe and established the fundamental "laws of science" by which it operates. Through reasoning, we can also deduce that this entity is timeless and exists beyond the confines of space, since time, space, and matter originated at the inception of the universe. All of these attributes align with the fundamental concept of God, the ultimate creator of the universe. Remarkably, this perspective is in perfect harmony with modern scientific findings, which affirm that the universe is finite and had a starting point.
2. Perfection of the Universe
Another evidence that supports the existence of an intelligent creator is the order and balance found in our complex universe.
Many aspects of the universe show that it is carefully designed to support life. For example, the distance between the Earth and the Sun, the thickness of the Earth's crust, the speed at which the Earth rotates, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, and even the tilt of the Earth. If any of these measurements were slightly different, life could not exist.
The fact that everything is so precisely set up suggests that there is an intelligent creator behind it all. It indicates that someone with great knowledge and purpose carefully designed the universe in a way that allows life to thrive.
3. Revelation from God
The third piece of evidence supporting the existence of God relates to the divine revelations bestowed upon humanity, serving as a tangible proof of His existence. There are compelling indications that the Quran, the Islamic holy book, is indeed the word of God. Below is a brief summary of reasons that support this claim. The Quran:
The Quran, which has a history spanning over 1400 years, encompasses numerous scientific facts that were not known to people during its time of revelation and have only been discovered by science in recent times. Some notable examples are:
1. The Quran states that water is the source of all living things (Quran 21:30).
2. It alludes to the concept of the expanding universe (Quran 51:47).
3. The Quran describes the distinct orbits followed by the sun and the moon (Quran 21:33).
These remarkable scientific insights found in the Quran demonstrate its advanced knowledge, surpassing the understanding of the era in which it was revealed. They serve as compelling evidence of the divine origin of the Quran and its compatibility with scientific discoveries made centuries later.
The Quran not only contains historical facts that were unknown to people during its revelation but also includes numerous accurate predictions. Furthermore:
1. The Quran presents historical information that was not known to people at the time it was revealed. It provides details about past events and civilizations that were unfamiliar to the people of that era.
2. Despite being revealed gradually over a period of 23 years and covering a wide range of topics, the Quran remains free from any errors or contradictions. Its consistent message and coherence are remarkable considering its gradual revelation.
3. The Quran has been preserved in its original Arabic language, word-for-word, since its revelation. This distinguishes it from other scriptures that have undergone changes and no longer exist in their original form.
These aspects highlight the exceptional nature of the Quran as a scripture that contains accurate historical information, fulfilled predictions, and maintains its integrity and authenticity over centuries.
The Quran has a simple and pure message that resonates with people's hearts and minds. It speaks to our understanding and natural beliefs about God.
Moreover, the Quran has a deep and meaningful impact on individuals. It touches their emotions and leaves a lasting impression.
It is remarkable that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who could not read or write. Yet, it is written in a beautiful and unique style of language known for its elegance and beauty. Its words are captivating and easy to understand, even for those who are not familiar with complex language.
The most logical conclusion for the numerous extraordinary and miraculous qualities found in the Quran is that it originates from God.
God Sends Guidance
Once we recognize that we have been brought into existence by the All-Wise Creator, it is natural to seek guidance regarding our purpose in life. We cannot rely on trial and error or create our own purpose. Nor should we blindly follow others without understanding. In His wisdom, God has sent Prophets and revealed scriptures to enlighten us about our purpose and provide us with clear guidance. Through these divine sources, we can attain knowledge of what God expects from us and how we should live our lives.
Throughout history, God has sent a multitude of Prophets, ensuring that every nation receives divine guidance. These Prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all), were entrusted with a unified message: to worship God alone and adhere to His teachings. Their mission was to guide humanity and lead them towards righteousness.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last Prophet in a long line of messengers sent by God. He was a perfect example of honesty, fairness, kindness, and courage. God chose him to receive the final revelation, the Quran, which shows us how to live according to God's teachings. Prophet Muhammad's life serves as a model for people to follow, as he showed us how to apply the guidance of the Quran in our daily lives.
The Quran is a book that provides guidance and answers to important questions. It explains why we are here, who God is, and what actions are good or bad. It tells stories about the Prophets and the lessons we can learn from them. It also talks about Heaven, Hell, and the Day of Judgement. One of its aims is to clear up misunderstandings about God, including explaining the true nature and role of Jesus compared to God. Overall, the Quran helps us understand important aspects of our faith in a simple and straightforward way.
Jesus, like all the other Prophets, demonstrated miraculous abilities and emphasized the worship of the one true God (Quran 19:36).
The Nature of Jesus
To understand how Islam views the concept of God, we need to discuss the status of Jesus and the confusion surrounding his nature.
Some Christians believe that "Jesus is God" or part of a trinity, meaning that he is God in human form. However, according to the Bible, Jesus was born, ate, slept, prayed, and had limited knowledge – things that are not attributes of God. God is perfect, while humans are imperfect. It doesn't make sense for something to be two completely opposite things at the same time.
In Islam, Jesus is recognized as a Prophet of God, not as God Himself. This understanding aligns with the idea that God is unique and transcendent, separate from His creation.
But some people may ask, "If God can do anything, why can't He become a human?" Well, the answer is that if God became a human and took on human qualities, then He wouldn't be God anymore. It goes against the nature of God to do things that are not godly.
Moreover, the Bible has many verses where Jesus talks and acts as if God is someone separate from Himself. For example, it says that Jesus "fell on his face and prayed" [Matthew 26:39]. If Jesus was God, would He need to fall on His face and pray? And who would He be praying to? These instances show that Jesus and God are distinct, suggesting that Jesus is not God Himself.
Some Christians say that "Jesus is the Son of God." But we need to understand what this really means. It doesn't mean that God actually has a physical son. Instead, in the earliest biblical languages, the term "Son of God" was used symbolically to describe a righteous person. It was used in the Old Testament for many righteous individuals like David, Solomon, and even Israel as a whole. For example, in the verse "Israel is my firstborn son" (Exodus 4:22), it shows this symbolic usage. So, when we say "Son of God," it doesn't only refer to Jesus but represents someone who is righteous and close to God.
"It is not befitting for Allah to take a son; He is perfect and flawless!"
Quran 19:35
The Islamic perspective on Jesus provides an understanding of his true identity while upholding the pure belief in the greatness, uniqueness, and perfection of God. According to Islamic belief, Jesus was a noble Prophet who was sent by God to guide people towards the worship of God alone.
So... why am I here?
We can all agree that our body parts, such as our eyes, ears, brains, and hearts, serve specific purposes. So, it would logically follow that as individuals, we also have a purpose.
God, who is all-knowing and wise, did not create us without a reason or for mere aimless wandering. Our existence has a higher purpose, which is to recognize and worship God alone. By following the guidance of our Creator, we can lead a fulfilling and blessed life in all aspects. This includes engaging in personal acts of virtue, like prayer, as well as contributing to society through acts of kindness towards our neighbors, supporting our families, being honest, and showing compassion towards animals.
God commands us not to worship anything or anyone besides Him, such as statues, the sun, the moon, saints, priests, or even Prophets. He doesn't need any partners or intermediaries. We all have the ability to worship God directly.
God describes this life as a test, and each person faces different challenges. We can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. Showing patience during difficult times and being grateful for blessings can bring us closer to God and lead to eternal Paradise. However, we are also warned of a severe punishment in Hell if we choose to disbelieve and ignore God's commands.
So... what do I do now?
The test of faith lies in using our intelligence to reflect upon and recognize the signs of God, and to live according to His guidance. This is achieved by submitting to God's commands, which is known as being a "Muslim" in Arabic.
God, the sole Creator known as 'Allah' in Arabic, has made Islam accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, history, or current circumstances. Hence, anyone can embrace Islam by sincerely believing in and proclaiming the following declaration of faith:
"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger."
Isn't it time for you to fulfill the purpose of your life, embrace the truth, and acknowledge your Creator?

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