An Introductory Guide To Finding The Meaning Of Life

In a world of materialism and endless distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of life’s biggest questions: Why am I here? What is my life’s purpose? What’s the point of it all? The search for life’s meaning requires deep reflection and guidance from our Creator. God has not left us without direction. Through His Book and His final Prophet’s teachings, He answers these profound questions, guiding us toward a meaningful, fulfilling life that leads to eternal peace and contentment. This guide reveals your true purpose, offering insights to help you live in alignment with your God-given path.

In this purpose of life post, you’ll learn:

• Why you need Allah’s guidance to understand your life’s purpose
• How everything in nature submits to Allah and fulfills its role in creation
• The unique role of humanity in Allah’s grand design
• The concept of ‘Fitrah’ and our innate inclination towards Allah
• The importance of recognizing and reflecting on Allah’s signs in creation
• What is the purpose of life according to Islam
• How worship in Islam extends beyond ritual acts
• How materialism distracts us from life’s true meaning
• The balance between worldly life and preparation for the Hereafter
• How life’s trials are tests from Allah, designed to strengthen your faith and character
• The role of free will and accountability in fulfilling your life purpose
• The importance of worship, remembrance, and gratitude in Islam
• How understanding your life’s purpose can bring peace and contentment

You need God’s Guidance to understand your life purpose

To truly understand your life purpose in Islam, you must learn it from the One who created you—Allah (God). Allah did not leave you in the dark without explicit instructions. Left to your desires, you would be lost, unable to navigate life’s complexities. This is where divine guidance becomes necessary. Seeking God’s direction is essential for living a meaningful and righteous life.

God revealed your life purpose through His speech, the Quran, delivered by His Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH). By seeking God’s guidance through Revelation and prayer, you can discover the path to living the life you were created to live.

Your ultimate purpose in life is to submit to God’s will, worshiping Him as a devoted servant. You are expected to continuously struggle to obey God, which increases your iman (faith) and taqwa (God-consciousness) and will deepen your connection with Him. This leads to a fulfilled, content, and peaceful life in this world and eternal salvation in the afterlife, where eternal bliss in Paradise awaits, protecting you from the punishment of Hellfire.

Life, as described in the Quran, is a test from God, distinguishing the worthy from the unworthy through their intentions, beliefs, and actions. Let’s explore this further. We’ll explore a few essential concepts and then connect them in a way that makes sense to you, insha’Allah (God willing).

Submission to Allah: the universal law in nature

Everything populating the Heavens and Earth—including animals, mountains, the skies, and the Universe—exists in a state of submission to the sovereignty of Allah, the Glorious. They are all living for, obedient to, and governed by the laws of God. Everything in creation exists in a state of Islam (submission to Allah). The definition of ‘Islam’ is submitting to God. God states in the Quran:

To Him submits whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth (Quran 3:83)

Everything in nature functions according to fixed laws established by Allah and cannot deviate from these laws. The sun knows its role; it follows its rotation cycle, providing Earth with light, heat, and energy. Similarly, the Earth knows its rotation cycle around its axis. Your eyes, heart, brain, and all your body’s components operate according to the laws of nature and have no choice but to fulfill their roles as intended by their Creator.

God’s creations know their mission and purpose and submit to their Lord.

All of God’s creations worship Him in a manner appropriate to their nature. The sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the animals, and the Universe exist in a state of subjugation to Allah, the Almighty. Everything prostrates to Him in its unique way, fulfilling its role of worship. Each creation, in its form, praises and submits to Allah. Even if God’s creation does not physically prostrate, their submission and worship are evident in how they fulfill their assigned roles.

The seven heavens and the Earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is
nothing except that it exalts Allah by His praise, but you do not understand
their way of exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving. (Quran 17:44)

Man’s duty to praise and worship

Like all other creations, you are expected to worship and praise your Creator. Just as the surrounding creations continuously praise Allah in humility—sometimes in ways you may not fully comprehend—you must also submit to Allah’s will. When you glorify and submit to God, you are in harmony with the rest of creation that is in submission and exalts the Creator throughout day and night in its unique way.

Human beings: blessed with intelligence and free will

Unlike other creations of Allah, human beings have been blessed with intelligence—the ability to comprehend, reflect on, and ponder their Creator and the purpose of life. Humanity is also endowed with the beauty of expression and the unique ability to make choices and decisions. Among God’s countless creations, human beings hold the highest status.

We have certainly created man in the best of stature. (Quran 95:4)

Islam’s answers to life’s biggest questions

Islam answers life’s most profound questions that trouble every human being: Where did I come from? Why was I created? What is my purpose? Where am I headed?… But how does Islam answer these fundamental questions? Well, it is in a few ways:

The Fitrah: your original pure state and natural inclination toward God

Every human is born naturally inclined to seek and recognize their Creator, referred to in Islam as the fitrah. This innate disposition leads to a natural belief in One Creator, guiding you toward faith in Allah, seeking truth, and doing good. Like a spiritual compass, your fitrah directs you to worship Allah and live a morally upright life. Your fitrah also includes a natural eagerness to thank your Creator.

However, your life experiences, your environment, and the influence of others, including your family and friends, can cloud or distance you from this pure state. When you stray from this path, you often feel a sense of discomfort, as your fitrah is inherently aligned with what is right and just. Yet, your fitrah remains within you, always ready to be rediscovered. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

Every child is born in a state of fitrah (a natural belief in God), but it is
their parents who make them a Jew, Christian, or Magian. (Sahih Muslim).

Reflecting on and recognizing God’s signs around you

The Quran teaches that the signs of God’s knowledge, wisdom, power, mercy, and existence are evident throughout the Universe. The order, purpose, and intelligence demonstrated by life on Earth and the Universe point to the existence of a Creator, a Designer, and a Fashioner. This flawless design of creation is undeniable proof that everything was fashioned with intention and purpose.

God calls on you to ponder, reflect, and think deeply about His creation’s complexity to better understand Him. When you reflect on the world around you, you realize that everything in this Universe was created with intelligence and infinite wisdom, and life could not have come into existence by chance.

God encourages you to reflect on His magnificent creation, including the mountains, the Sun, the Moon, the stars, and the trees. These creations stand as testaments to His existence and His blessings. You are invited to look up to the heavens and admire the beauty of nature, recognizing them as clear signs of God’s design. As Allah says in the Quran:

Have they not looked at the heaven above them – how We
structured it and adorned it, and how it has no rifts? (Quran 50:6)

Reflecting on the beauty of the natural world brings you closer to understanding God’s power and wisdom. Take a moment to ask yourself when you last truly admired and reflected on the beauty of God’s creation.

Recognizing God’s signs requires personal reflection and effort. For those who seek truth and understanding, everything around them becomes clear evidence of God’s existence. The intricate order and balance in creation reveal that this magnificent Universe—and even our bodies—are designed by a Mighty, Wise Creator with purpose, precision, and perfect measure. As Allah states in the Quran:

And We did not create the heaven and Earth and
what is between them for mere play. (Quran 21:16)

God encourages you to reflect on yourself and how your body was perfectly designed. As Allah says:

We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves
until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient
concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness? (Quran 41:53)

Reflecting on the creation of the Universe reveals that the Deity who created this ethereal world can certainly re-create it again. This realization helps you understand that God can easily and quickly resurrect you and all of humanity for Judgment Day. As the Quran states:

How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless, and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you back to life, and then to Him, you will be returned? (Quran 2:28)

Reflecting on these signs deepens your understanding of God’s power, wisdom, and purpose, bringing you closer to Him.

The distractions of materialism and its impact on faith

In today’s materialistic world, the relentless pursuit of fame, wealth, and worldly success distracts many from reflecting on God’s beautiful creation and its purpose. People are obsessed with materialism, constantly seeking to accumulate money and possessions.

Excessive materialism robs you of inner peace. True fulfillment in life isn’t found in endlessly pursuing material wealth. Instead, you should reflect on those less fortunate, which will foster gratitude and peace for the love, blessings, and mercy the Almighty has granted you through wealth, family, and friendships.

Losing the sense of awe and wonder

Humanity was born with a natural sense of awe and wonder, yet many lose this sense along the journey to adulthood. Over time, the beauty of God’s creation around them no longer evokes the same feelings of awe due to excessive attachment to material possessions and worldly distractions.

The obsession with material goods, idle talk, and gossip blind you to the miracles happening around you every moment. Instead of focusing on the trivial, you should reflect deeply on life and its purpose.

Rediscovering the signs of God

If you take the time to ponder creation deeply, you will find signs and profound lessons everywhere that lead you back to your Creator. These signs bring appreciation for the wisdom and wonders of God’s creation, drawing you closer to your Lord.

The purpose of life: worshipping God

A person’s true purpose is to find God, build a relationship with Him, and continuously strive to submit to His will. The greatest joy and inner peace come from servitude and obedience to God. As God clearly states in the Quran:

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (Quran 51:56).

Understanding Worship in Islam

Worship in Islam goes beyond constant prayer and seclusion. It encompasses every action, thought, belief, or sentiment God approves and loves. Acts of worship include removing an obstacle from the road, helping someone in need, being kind to parents, earning lawful income, sharing food with neighbors, or visiting the sick.

These acts must be done sincerely for God’s pleasure, without boastfulness or impure motives, and must align with God’s guidance and laws. Any action that brings a person closer to their Creator is considered an act of worship.

What it Means to Truly Worship God

To worship God is to know, love, and obey His commandments. It is about implementing His laws in every aspect of life and serving His cause by striving to do what is right, shunning evil, and upholding justice. According to the Quran, obeying God’s commandments and avoiding what He has prohibited lightens one’s burdens and makes life easier and more fulfilling:

And Allah wants to lighten for you your burdens, and mankind was created weak. (Quran 4:28).

The misconception of enjoyment in disobedience

You may mistakenly believe that disobeying God’s commands while indulging in worldly pleasures will lead to a happier and more enjoyable life. You may think that following God’s laws will deprive you of enjoyment, but this is far from the truth.

The rules of Islam are often perceived as restrictive, but they are designed for your benefit. A devout Muslim sees these rules as a path to success, happiness, and contentment in this life and the next.

God promises that if you follow His guidance, He will relieve burdens in your life, making your life easier, more peaceful, and more comfortable. Obeying God’s commandments brings contentment to the heart and fosters peace and harmony within oneself and others.

Every command of God is intended for your benefit. Anything that God forbids you from, such as alcohol and gambling, is prohibited because it is harmful to you and society. Numerous studies and evidence highlight the dangers and evils associated with alcohol consumption, gambling, and other things that are haram (forbidden) in Islam.

The promise of a good life for the righteous

Those who follow God’s simple commandments will enjoy a pleasant and contented life. God promises in the Quran:

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)

The inner battle of human desires, power of control & repentance

God created you with natural desires and the ability and power to control them or be led astray. In His infinite wisdom, Allah knew you would make mistakes. This is why God taught you—beginning with Prophet Adam (PBUH)—how to repent and purify yourself from sin. When you slip, repent to your Creator; if you slip again, repent again.

Never despair in the Mercy of your Creator, no matter how many times you fall. Despairing in the Mercy of your Creator is a severe error and sin– no matter how many sins you have committed, you should never lose hope in Allah’s mercy and forgiveness!

Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves (by sinning),
do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.
Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’ (Quran 39:53)

Life as a test from God

Life in this world is a test for you and all of humankind. Each person faces a unique trial: some are tested through poverty, others through wealth, some enjoy good health, while others endure illness. God states in the Quran:

He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best
 in deeds – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving. (Quran 67:2)

Sometimes, God tests you through calamities, and at other times, through blessings to reveal whether you will be grateful and obedient or ungrateful and disobedient.

And We will surely test you with something of fear, hunger, and a loss of
wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. (Quran 2:155)

God tests every individual in different ways. Challenges in life should not be mistaken as punishments or signs of God’s displeasure, just as wealth and pleasure should not assumed to be signs of God’s approval necessarily.

Know that your wealth and your children are but a trial and
that Allah has with Him a mighty reward. (Quran 8:28)

The purpose behind trials, tests, and suffering

God uses trials in His wisdom and mercy to develop your character, strengthen your faith, and mold you into a being that pleases Him. Suffering often compels you to turn to God humbly in prayer, even if you aren’t religious. Hardship can become a pathway to finding Him. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure, but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath.

This worldly life vs the Afterlife

Muslims view this world as a temporary stop on the way to the ultimate destination: the afterlife, where you will live eternally. This temporary life should not be pursued at the expense of the Hereafter, which is far more significant and everlasting. If your sole purpose is to amass wealth, what purpose remains once that wealth is achieved? Life is not about accumulating material goods nor seeking physical pleasures.

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Detaching from the material world

Islam teaches that this world is a means to an end and not the ultimate goal. Detachment from worldly does not mean abandoning all possessions or living in poverty. Instead, it means not allowing anything to control or enslave you. True success comes from living with a higher purpose—preparing for the eternal joy of the Hereafter. The purpose of life in Islam is for you to become a sincere and faithful servant of God.

And this worldly life is nothing but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the
home of the Hereafter – that is the eternal life, if only they knew. (Quran 29:64).

This life is temporary and will one day end for you and humanity. The experience of this world is fleeting compared to the eternal life awaiting you in the Hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) illustrated this by saying:

What is the example of this worldly life compared to the Hereafter other
than one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.

Does God need our worship? The need for worship

The fundamental purpose for which humankind was created is to worship God. However, God does not need human worship—His glory would not be diminished if everyone stopped worshipping Him. God is free of all needs, while you were created with needs and desires. Therefore, it is you and I who require the worship of God. By obeying God’s divinely revealed laws, you succeed in this life and the Hereafter.

Remembering God will help you avoid sin

You are encouraged to remember God frequently for your benefit. Sin often occurs when you forget God. The forces of evil are most active when awareness of God is weak or lost.

Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are
the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan—they will be the losers (Quran 58:19).

Satan will aim to occupy your mind with unproductive thoughts, material distractions, and desires, causing you to forget your Creator. Thus, God advises:

O, believers! Remember God often. (Quran 33:41)

Express gratitude by glorifying and praising God. When you do, you align yourself with the rest of creation, which continuously exalts the Creator in its own unique way, day and night.

Glorify the praises of your Lord and be among those who prostrate to Him. (Quran 15:98)

Conclusion

Understanding the purpose of life in Islam provides a clear roadmap for living a meaningful and fulfilling existence. Life’s ultimate purpose, as revealed in Islam, is to submit to God’s will, worship Him as a devoted servant, and continually strive to obey Him with sincerity and devotion.

You will discover true contentment and peace in this life and the Hereafter through understanding, reflection, and submission to Allah’s will. Remember, your time in this world is limited, but your actions here shape your eternal future.

May we all strive to fulfill our divine purpose and find lasting contentment in submission to Allah.