Bhimasena went on, "From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of life is to worship Allah and live under His guidance to attain success in both this world and the Hereafter. In other words, the purpose of life is to worship and serve Allah, as well as to seek His pleasure through righteous deeds, good conduct, and submission to His will. This central theme is found in the Quran, the Hadith, and the teachings of Sunni scholars. Let’s break down this perspective with key references from the Quran, Hadith, and the opinions of prominent Sunni scholars.
The Quran explicitly states that the purpose of human existence is to worship Allah. He, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْنِ
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [QS Adh-Dhariyat (51):56]
This verse emphasizes that the primary reason for our creation is to worship Allah (ibadah), which encompasses all forms of devotion, obedience, and servitude.
Life is a test of character and deeds, where believers strive to act under Divine guidance. Allah says,
ۨالَّذِيْ خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيٰوةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ اَيُّكُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًاۗ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْغَفُوْرُۙ
"[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving." [QS. Al-Mulk (67):2]
Therefore, to be consistent in good actions that align with the purpose of life, and demonstrate obedience to Allah, Muslims must follow the Prophet's (ﷺ) example. The Prophet (ﷺ) is often described in the Quran and Hadith as having the best of characters. Allah says,
وَاِنَّكَ لَعَلٰى خُلُقٍ عَظِيْمٍ
"And indeed, you are of a great moral character." [QS. Al-Qalam (68):4]
In this verse, Allah directly praises the Prophet (ﷺ) for his exalted character, highlighting that his ethical conduct and manners were exemplary and unparalleled.
Allah also says,
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيْ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ اُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوا اللّٰهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْاٰخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللّٰهَ كَثِيْرًاۗ
"There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern [an example to be followed] for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often." [QS. Al-Ahzab (33):21]
This verse encourages believers to follow the Prophet’s (ﷺ) example, which includes his (ﷺ) character, deeds, and actions, as a role model in every aspect of life. The Prophet (ﷺ) was the best of characters, making him a model for humanity.
The authentic sayings of the Prophet (ﷺ) complement the Quran’s teachings about life’s purpose. He (ﷺ) said,
الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ
“The world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the disbeliever.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2324; Sahih according to Al-Albani]
This hadith indicates that for the believer, life in this world is not the ultimate goal; instead, it is a temporary place where trials occur. The true reward and freedom lie in the hereafter.
Muslims should treat worldly life as temporary and fleeting, focusing more on preparing for the eternal afterlife. Islam teaches that this worldly life is temporary, and the true, everlasting life lies in the Hereafter. Preparation for the Hereafter requires living according to Allah’s guidance and striving for righteousness. Allah says,
مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيْدُ حَرْثَ الْاٰخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهٗ فِيْ حَرْثِهٖۚ وَمَنْ كَانَ يُرِيْدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهٖ مِنْهَاۙ وَمَا لَهٗ فِى الْاٰخِرَةِ مِنْ نَّصِيْبٍ
"Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter - We increase for him in his harvest [i.e., reward]. And whoever desires the harvest [i.e., benefits] of this world - We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share." [QS. Ash-Shuraa (42):20]
This verse emphasizes that focusing on good deeds and living a life of obedience to Allah leads to eternal success.
Believers must be conscious that all actions will be weighed on the Day of Judgment. Allah says,
وَمَنْ يَّعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَّرَهٗ ࣖ فَمَنْ يَّعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَّرَهٗۚ
"So whoever does an atom's weight (or 'the weight of a small ant) of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it." [QS. Az-Zalzalah (99):7-8]
Repentance purifies the soul, helping believers enter the Hereafter with Allah’s mercy. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
إِذَا مَاتَ الإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ إِلاَّ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ
"When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased)." [Sahih Muslim 1631]
This shows that lasting good deeds continue to benefit the soul after death. Islam emphasizes sharing and helping others as core values. Key teachings include:
Helping the poor and needy (charity as a duty). Zakat, a mandatory charity, ensures wealth is shared with the needy. Allah says,
وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ ۗ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوْا لِاَنْفُسِكُمْ مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوْهُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِيْرٌ
"And establish prayer and give zakāh, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. Indeed Allah, of what you do, is Seeing." [QS. Al-Baqarah (2):110)
Encouraging generosity and cooperation. Allah says,
وَتَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوٰىۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۖوَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ
"... And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." [QS. Al-Ma'idah (5):2]
Islam teaches that this worldly life is temporary, and the true, everlasting life lies in the Hereafter. Preparation for the Hereafter requires living according to Allah’s guidance and striving for righteousness. Preparing for the Hereafter involves obedience to Allah, seeking forgiveness, performing good deeds, and trusting in His mercy. Sunni scholars like Ibn al-Qayyim emphasize that awareness of the Hereafter motivates self-discipline, spiritual growth, and focus on eternal rewards over temporary pleasures. Allah says,
وَابْتَغِ فِيْمَآ اٰتٰىكَ اللّٰهُ الدَّارَ الْاٰخِرَةَ وَلَا تَنْسَ نَصِيْبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَاَحْسِنْ كَمَآ اَحْسَنَ اللّٰهُ اِلَيْكَ وَلَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِى الْاَرْضِ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِيْنَ
"But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allāh does not like corrupters." [QS. Al-Qasas (28):77]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
مَنْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا هَمَّهُ فَرَّقَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ فَقْرَهُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَأْتِهِ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ وَمَنْ كَانَتِ الآخِرَةُ نِيَّتَهُ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ غِنَاهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ وَأَتَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا وَهِيَ رَاغِمَةٌ
"Whoever is focused only on this world, Allah will confound his affairs and make him fear poverty constantly, and he will not get anything of this world except that which has been decreed for him. Whoever is focused on the Hereafter, Allah will settle his affairs for him and make him feel content with his lot, and his provision and worldly gains will undoubtedly come to him." [Sunan Ibn Majah, No. 4105, Hasan by Al-Albani]
This hadith teaches that focusing on the Hereafter brings inner peace, stability, and worldly success as a byproduct.
Sunni scholars have expanded upon these themes in their works, providing deeper insight into the purpose of life from an Islamic perspective. Imam al-Ghazali (d. 1111 CE), in his famous work Ihya Ulum al-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences), explains that the purpose of life is to strive for spiritual purification, knowledge of Allah, and sincere worship. He emphasizes that the soul’s perfection is attained through worship and adherence to Islamic teachings.
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328 CE), a prominent Sunni scholar, in his Majmu' al-Fatawa, writes extensively on the purpose of life. He argues that the ultimate goal of human life is to attain closeness to Allah through worship, knowledge, and fulfilling one's responsibilities. Ibn Taymiyyah emphasizes that everything in life, even permissible worldly pleasures, should be a means to gain Allah’s pleasure.
Imam al-Nawawi (d. 1277 CE), a renowned Shafi'i scholar, in his work Riyadh al-Salihin, underscores the importance of purifying intentions and performing deeds for the sake of Allah alone. He stresses that the believer should aim for both excellence in worship and kindness toward creation, as both are paths to fulfilling the divine purpose of life.
In Islam, worship (ibadah) is not restricted to acts of ritual, like prayer or fasting. It encompasses all aspects of life, including personal conduct, social relations, and even lawful enjoyment of life’s blessings. Thus, the purpose of life in Islam involves leading a balanced existence, where one engages in both acts of worship and societal responsibilities. Fulfilling rights towards Allah (through worship) and fellow humans (through justice, kindness, and good deeds) are both integral to this purpose.
In summary, the purpose of life from an Islamic perspective is: To worship Allah in all aspects of life (Quran 51:56); To pass the test of life through good deeds and righteous behaviour (Quran 67:2); To seek Allah's pleasure and attain eternal success in the hereafter; To maintain balance, fulfilling the rights of Allah and fellow humans in all daily actions (scholarly opinion).
By integrating all these elements, Islam teaches that the ultimate purpose of life is to prepare for the afterlife by living following Allah’s guidance, fulfilling obligations towards both the Creator and creation," Bhima concluded,
