The Purpose of Life in Islam

Have you ever asked yourself: "What is the purpose of life? My life? Your life?" People everywhere ask these questions, and why we're here. Islam provides clear and concise answers.

Is wealth the purpose?

Some hold that the purpose of life is to acquire wealth. But suppose someone gains millions of dollars — what then is their purpose after that? If becoming wealthy were the purpose of life, there would be no purpose left once it's achieved. When people approach life only through the lens of gaining wealth, once they've collected the money they dreamed of, their lives lose purpose, and they live in restless tension, suffering a feeling of worthlessness.

Could the acquisition of wealth guarantee happiness? A five-year-old would rather have a new toy than a deposit slip for a million dollars. A teenager doesn't consider a bank balance a substitute for time with friends. And wealth can do little to bring happiness to someone who doesn't believe in God, because regardless of what they gain in this life, they'll always live in fear of what happens at the end.

Worship as the purpose

Worship of the One True Almighty God — Allah in Arabic — as the primary aim in life provides a believer with everything needed to succeed in both this life and the next. The word for total surrender, submission, obedience, purity of heart and peace in Arabic is "Islam." Those who live this way are called Muslims.

To a Muslim, the whole purpose of life is ibadah — worship of the One True God, on His terms. This includes any and all acts of obedience to Allah, throughout every stage of life — child, adolescent, adult, or elder. Life here on earth, though short, is full of purpose within the complete framework of total submission.

This life as a test

Islam teaches that this life is only a test or trial, meant to reveal a person's true nature. Death, then, is not so much an ending as a beginning of the final and lasting life in the Hereafter. Before entering either of the final lodging places — Heaven or Hell — there is a Day of Judgment, a showing of one's true self.

Every person is rewarded or held accountable according to their own attitude and effort during their time on earth — no one is asked about the actions of others, nor about anything they were unaware of or incapable of doing. The line of life and its purpose is simple:

• The first life is a test.
• The life in the grave is a resting or waiting place before the Day of Judgment.
• The Day of Judgment brings clear understanding of what happens next, based on one's own desires and actions.
• The permanent afterlife is spent in either luxurious splendor or punishment.

What does the believing Muslim know?

Following this understanding, a Muslim has no doubt that: they are created by Allah; they will spend a period of time in this material world; they will die; they will spend time in the grave, pleasant or difficult depending on their own choices; they will be resurrected for the Day of Judgment; and they will be judged by the fairest of standards. This short life, compared to eternity, is only a test — but it is deeply meaningful, because it determines one's outcome in the life to come.

What is required?

The Muslim's permanent purpose is to surrender, submit, and obey Allah in purity and peace, carrying out His orders as revealed in the Qur'an and through the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. This includes:

• Believing there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, and that Muhammad is His final messenger — the culmination of a line of prophets that includes Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus Christ, peace be upon them all.
• Establishing the five daily prayers.
• Paying zakat — charity of about 2.5% of one's holdings annually.
• Fasting the month of Ramadan.
• Making pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime, if able.

Obey God

For a disbeliever, the purpose of life often becomes collecting wealth, power, and position, or over-indulging in pleasure — but none of it avails anything good on the Day of Judgment. Eventually the question comes: Now what? What's next? Where am I going?

The purpose of life, as understood by the believing Muslim, can be stated in just two words:

Obey God.

Our purpose and salvation lie in coming to know our Creator, Sustainer, and Ultimate Judge — to believe in Him, thank Him, honor Him, and worship Him alone. Those in search of truth, with open minds and hearts, will recognize this as a message of sincerity. Open your heart and ask the Almighty God of the Universe to guide you to His true way, and then be ready to accept your true purpose in life.