What's The Purpose Of Life ?

PURPOSE OF LIFE
What Does Islam Say About Life's Purpose?
_________________________________

Have you ever asked yourself these questions?
"What is the purpose of L I F E?"
"My life?"
"Your Life?"

People everywhere are asking the questions; "What is the purpose of life?" and "Why are we here?" You might be amazed to learn, that Islam is providing clear and concise answers for these questions.

Most of those who reflect or think about life in any detail will consider and ponder these questions. There are as many different answers to these questions as there are people asking the questions. Some would hold that the purpose of life was to acquire wealth. Yet suppose they were to acquire millions of dollars, what then would they claim is their purpose after doing so?

If the purpose of life is to become wealthy, there would be no purpose after becoming wealthy.

The fact is that when people approach their purpose here in this life from the aspect of only gaining wealth, after collecting the money they have dreamed of their lives loose purpose and then they live in restless tension suffering from a feeling of worthlessness.

How could wealth then be considered as the aim of life?

Could the acquisition of wealth guarantee happiness? Of course not.
When we hear of millionaires or members of their families committing suicide, how could we consider the purpose of life would be to gain great wealth?

A child of 5 years would obviously prefer a new toy to a deposit slip for a million dollars.
A teenager does not consider millions of dollars in the bank a substitute for movies, videos, pizza and hanging out with his friends.
A person in their 80s or 90s would never consider holding on to their wealth in place of spending it to hold on to or regain their health.

This proves that money is not the main purpose at all the stages of one's life.

Wealth can do little or nothing to bring happiness to one who is a disbeliever in Almighty God, because regardless of what he or she would gain in this life they would always live in fear of what will happen to them in the end. They would wonder what would become of them and how they would end up.

Wealth and its accumulation as a purpose would be doomed to a temporary success at best and in the end it would only spell out self destruction.

So, what is the use of wealth to a person without belief? He would always fear his end and would always be skeptical of everything. He may gain a great material wealth but he would only lose himself in the end.

Worship of the One True Almighty God of the Universe [Allah in Arabic] as a primary goal or aim in life provides a believer with everything he needs to succeed in both this life and the Next Life.

The word for total surrender, submission, obedience, purity of heart and peace in the Arabic language is "Islam". Those who try to perform these actions are called "MU-slims" [Islam-ERs].

To a Muslim the whole purpose of life is "ibadah" or worship to the One True Almighty God on Terms and under His Conditions.

The term "worship" to a Muslim includes any and all acts of obedience to Almighty Allah.

So his purpose of life is a standing purpose; Worshipping Allah by accepting Allah's Will over his own.
This act of ibadah [worshipping, thanking and extolling the Greatness Almighty Allah on His Terms and Conditions] is for the Muslim, throughout his whole life regardless of the stage. Whether he is a child, adolescent, adult or aged person, he is seeking after the Will of the Almighty in all these stages.
His life here on earth although short, is full of purpose and is totally meaningful within the complete framework of total submission [Islam].

Similarly, in the Next Life as well, his faith, intentions, attitudes and good deeds will all be weighed into his account as favorable putting him in high esteem with his Creator and Sustainer.

Because Islam teaches that this life is only a test or trial for the individual to show him his true nature it is only natural that he would accept death as not so much an ending to everything but more as a beginning of the final and lasting life in the Hereafter.

Before entering into either of the final lodging places i.e.; Heaven or Hell, there must needs be a Day of Judgment or showing of one's true self to make them aware of their own nature and thereby understand what they have sent on ahead during the life here on the earth.

Every person will be rewarded [or punished] according to their attitude, appreciation and efforts during this stay on earth. None will be asked about the actions and beliefs of others, nor will anyone be asked regarding that which he was unaware of or incapable of doing.

As the life here is considered as an examination for the individual, the death stage is considered as a resting period after the test. It could be easy for those who were faithful and dedicated or it could be grueling and horrible for the wicked.

Reward and punishment will be in direct proportion to each person and it is only Allah, alone who will be the Final Judge over us all.

So in the teachings of the True Surrender, Submission, Obedience, In Sincerity and Peace to the Almighty One God [Islam], the line of life and its purpose is logical, clear and 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 about the clear understanding of what will now happen to the individual based on his own desires and actions

The Permanent or Afterlife will either be spend in luxurious splendor or miserable punishment .

Following this clear understanding of life, the Muslim's purpose is clear.

First of all, he has no doubt in his mind that:
he is only created by Allah
he is going to spend a period of time in this material world [called "Ad Dunyah" in Arabic]
he knows he will die
he knows he will spend time in the grave, either pleasant or difficult depending on his own choice of attitude and actions
he knows he will be resurrected for the Day of Judgment
he knows he will be judged according to the most fair of standards by Allah the Almighty, the All

Knowing he realizes his attitude and actions are going to come under very close scrutiny
he knows that this short life compared to the Eternal Life was in fact, only for a test

This life is very meaningful and purposeful to the Believing Muslim, as he realizes that it will determine is outcome and permanent position in the Next Life.

The Muslim's permanent purpose is to Surrender, Submit, Obey, in Purity and Peace to Allah the Almighty, carrying out His Orders and staying in some form of worship to Him as much as possible everyday.

This includes the orders of Allah in His Book, the Holy Quran and His final Messenger and Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him as follows:

Believing and declaring that "There is no god throughout all the Creation of Allah that is worthy of worship, all worship is due only to Allah, alone and He has no partners or helpers nor does He share His Lordship with any of His creations. And Muhammad, the son of Abdullah ibn Abdul Mutallib (1450 years ago) is the last and final messenger and servant of Almighty Allah, and is the culmination in a long line of prophets sent to mankind throughout man's history, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus Christ, may Almighty Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon them all."

Establishing the regular five times ritualistic prayer [salat] in the stated times (in the mosques for the men when possible)

Paying the charity tax [Zakat = about 2.5% of one's holdings - not his income, annually]

Fasting the month of Ramadhan [lunar calendar]

Pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Mecca at least once in the life of the person, provided he has the ability and the way is safe


For a disbeliever the purpose of this life is to collect and amass great wealth, money, power and position. Over indulging in eating, drinking, drugs, sex and gambling are a high priority to them. But all of this will not avail them anything good in the grave, on the Day of Judgment or in the Next Life. Eventually he will be faced with the question:
Now what?
What's Next?
Where am I going?
What will happen to me?

He will come to know. For sure he will come to know. But then what will the knowledge avail him?

Look how Islam solves the mystery of the puzzle of life. It provides the answers to the questions and concerns of the human beings on all levels and in every aspect. It is really quite simple.

The purpose of life as understood by the Believing Muslim can be simply stated in only two (2) words:
Obey God.

Our only purpose and salvation lie in these two words.

We must come to know our Creator, Sustainer and Ultimate Judge. We must learn to believe in Him, thank Him, praise Him, honor Him and worship Him, alone without any partners from His Creation. We must learn about His Messengers and Prophets, peace be upon them, and the message with which they were all sent. We must learn the Word of God as was directly revealed, preserved and memorized and passed down by memory throughout all the generations of Muslims to the present day.

Those who are in search of truth, having open minds and hearts will recognize this as a message in truth and sincerity. Open your heart and your mind now and ask the Almighty God of the Universe [Allah] to guide you now to His True Way. And then be ready to accept your true purpose in life.

_______________________________

read more

islamtomorrow.com/purpose.htm

.
Hello and welcome, ahmd.

Good luck and good thinking!

As to your 'thrust' regarding "purpose", please allow me to give your brain-mind something else to ponder that may not have already occurred to you in your 'religious philosophy'.......

Have you and all other 'religionists' ever considered that there may actually be no 'god-mandated' nor nor 'believer invented "divine purpose" at all?

And that the eternal universat phenomena is what it is irrespective of what we think or imagine it may be 'subjectively'?

And that we naturally evolved highly complex human 'brain-mind emergences' from that sufficiently highly evolved complexity have acquired the emergent capability to make currently incomplete SUBJECTIVE 'abstract thought world constructs' which, given sufficient scientific exploration of the universal phenomena may eventually evolve into a 'complete' abstract thought world construct that reflects that phenomena as it is OBJECTIVELY?

And that the any a-priori NATURAL "purpose"-like aspect to 'life processes' in the universal reality is 'LIFE ITSELF (in our case, Earth's human 'brain-mind' emergent 'life forms') as an INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE of evolutionary processes and possibilities and probabilities INHERENT IN THE ETERNAL UNIVERSAL PHENOMENA?

And that the most REASONABLE AND OBJECTIVELY SUSTAINABLE 'post-priori' "purpose" which individual/collective human brain-mind world construct MEME for "purpose" is the THE CONTINUING NATURAL EVOLUTION AND JOURNEY TOWARDS COMPLETE OBJECTIVE COMPREHENSION OF THE UNIVERSE AS IT IS....for it's own sake rather than some 'god/religionists' abstract SUBJECTIVE 'world constuct' overlay's sake?

Basically, have you considered the possibility that we humans are on an objective journey of discovery that has many subjective distractions, not the least of which is man's evolutionary 'hangover tendencies and memes' which still subjectively confused the objective 'signposts' that the SCIENTFIC METHOD has allowed us to detect along the way amongst all those subjective 'signposts' that 'religions and superstitions and mercenary/political miscreants/ignoramuses' have put up along the way since ancient times to keep the 'masses' of humans under THEIR control instead of allowing them to join the rest of the objective thinkers that will advance the journey of self/universal discovery we CURIOUS AND THINKING BEINGS are NATURALLY EMBARKED UPON AND EVOLVED TO PERFORM AS OBJECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE AID OF OUR MOST VALUABLE INVENTED TOOL YET.....THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND OBJECTIVE INTEGRITY OF THOUGHT IN APPLYING SAME?

Just a few questions for you to ponder before commiting yourself to any SUBJECTIVE 'god/religion' trajectory for your journey of discovery which may lead you to miss out on the REAL and OBJERCTIVE journey of discovery the highly evolved complex brain-mind is admirably naturally suited to pursue.

Anyhow, that's all the time I have today for this topic; so I will again wish you good luck and good thinking, and I hope you enjoy yourself in discussions here as well as enlighten and be enlightened as the case may be! Please forgive any typos etc due to my haste in writing this.

Cheers, ahmd, everyone....from your collective friend in science and humanity!

RealityCheck.

This post has been edited by RealityCheck on Oct 17 2008, 08:48 PM

Thank you RealityCheck

Is there evidence God Exists?



Yes. Allah has sent down miracles, revelations and messengers to give clear proofs He exists and more important, what we should do once we come to this realization.

Allah has sent prophets and messengers with many proofs throughout the ages for people to be able to clearly see with their own eyes and to be able to use their own senses the miracles and proofs pointing to the fact, Allah does in fact, exist.

Miracles of prophets and messengers of Allah have come to people through the ages. Moses, peace be upon him, showed many miracles to pharaoh and to the children of Israel. Plagues, locusts, water turning to blood, his stick becoming a snake, the voice in the burning bush and the parting of the Red Sea are clear miracles for the people of Moses time.

Again, Allah sent Jesus, the son of Mary, peace be upon him, with clear miracles for the people of his time. Speaking from the cradle while still a new born infant, creating birds from clay, curing the sick, giving sight to the blind and even bringing a dead man back to life, were all clear signs to the people to know Jesus, peace be upon him, was a messenger of Allah as was Moses before him.

Muhammad, peace be upon him, was the last and final messenger of Allah, and he was sent to all of mankind. Allah sent him with a number of miracles, not the least of which was the Quran. The predictions and prophecies of Muhammad, peace be upon him, have come true even in this century and the Quran has been used to convince even scientists of the existence of Allah.
[Please visit "Science Proves Allah": Watch video of famous scientists admit Quran is from Allah and even accept Islam]

The Quran is the best of proofs for the existence of Allah and today over one and half billion people memorize and recite from the exact text, in the exact same language it was revealed in; Arabic. More than 10 million Muslims have completely memorized the entire Quran from cover to cover, and can recite it from memory without looking at it.

No one sees or hears Allah, not even the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Nor are we able to use our senses to make some kind of contact with Him. However, we are encouraged in Islam to use our senses and our common sense to recognize this entire universe could not possibly come into existence on its own. Something had to design it all and then put it into motion. This is beyond our ability to do, yet it is something we can understand.

We know from the teachings of Muhammad, peace be upon him, the proofs for the existence of God (Allah) are most obvious to us in our everyday surroundings. Anyone with understanding would quickly acknowledge His existence provided they are not so stubborn as to ignore the obvious evidences right in front of us.

We don't have to see an artist to recognize a painting, correct? So, if we see paintings without seeing artists painting them, in the same way, we can believe Allah created everything without having to see Him (or touch, or hear, etc.).


What proof is there?




Note: "Proving" God exists is really not our purpose. We are only interested in providing clear statements based on facts and logic and then allow the individual decide for themselves who they would like to believe. There have always been people who believed in the existence of God and there have always been those who have denied in His existence. We must realize there are those who will never believe no matter how much proof or evidence we produce. The reason is some people don't want to believe in a Creator or Sustainer. They would not like to consider one day they will have to answer for their actions and for their refusal to acknowledge their Benefactor to whom they owe their very existence. We come to know it is not so much a matter of us trying to convey our beliefs as it is for them to set aside preconceived prejudices against proper belief. Meaning: this is really a matter of guidance from Above. If they refuse even with evident proofs in front of them, this is not between us and them; it is between them and their Creator. Again, it is not our job to "prove" anything to anyone. We only need to present the facts in truth and allow the listener to make up their own mind.

We just begin with simple logic. When something is right in front of our eyes it is difficult to deny it, right? Asking rhetorical questions can be very helpful in presenting our case. Begin by asking the question; "Can you prove you exist?" Yes, of course you can. You merely use your senses to determine what you can see, hear, feel, smell, taste and you have emotions as well. All of this is a part of your existence. But this is not how we perceive God in Islam. We can look to the things He has created and the way He cares for things and sustains us, to know there is no doubt of His existence.

One approach is to suggest simple yet convincing experiments anyone could comprehend. For instance, say to someone, "Consider this the next time you are looking up at the moon or the stars on a clear night; could you drop a drinking glass on the sidewalk and expect it would hit the ground and on impact it would not shatter, but it would divide up into little small drinking glasses, with iced tea in them? Of course not."

Another example is have them consider what might happen if a tornado came through a junkyard and tore through the old cars; would it leave behind a nice new Mercedes with the engine running and no parts left around? Naturally not.

Or ask someone to consider what it would be like if someone told us about a fast food restaurant operating itself without any people there? The food just cooks itself, files from the kitchen to the table and then when we are done, the dishes jump back the kitchen to wash themselves. This is too crazy for anyone to even think about.

After reflecting on all of the above, how could we look to the universe above us through a telescope or observe the cells in a microscope and then think all of this came about as a result of a "big bang" or some "accident"?

(see also "Quran")


read more

What is the Origin of God?

Does God have limitations?

Why did God create everything?

Did God create evil too?

Does God know future?

Why so many religions?

Can we prove Quran is from God?

Why does Quran say, "We & He"?

God of the Jews and Christians?

Will all of us be treated equally?


godallah.com/

[I] l Life is its own validation and reward and ultimate meaning.
Ponder Albert Ellis's "The Myth of Self-Esteem" and Robert Price's "The Reason-Driven Life" to fathom that.
Allah is just another sociopath!

Hi RC

Where do we place a dog's instinct?...Is this similar in construct?...Though a dog could rip our hand ....and under certain circumstances might....when confronted with love and affection from a known source, they will respond in kind. I'm using the dog as an example, but other animals do the same thing......When is instinct NOT instinctive, but a learned experience...?

a dog's instinct is cowardly. Unless supported by a group a dog must summon courage to attack. It requires the support of the group to be at peace(this is the reason we communicate with them.)
Perhaps we also have an instinctive need for group support that comes via fear or a cowardly nature . If the position we find ourselves is inferior, our cowardly nature allows the will of others to cover such fears...Patch protection of another bent.

Cheers
Iseason

Hi iseason.

Excellently observed.

And the dog 'world construct' is just as 'basic' as that of any 'animal' except humans (ie, to varying degrees 'limited' as to levels of 'abstraction' and comprehension of 'self/other' and time/temporality and 'purpose/intent' and 'past/future/goals' etc concepts).

The reason for this is the 'closed loop' nature of HARDWIRED 'programming/faculties' (ie, physical GROUP evolution of brain-mind physiology/circuitry-structure) and SOFTWARE 'programming' (ie, experiential development/evolution of more 'closed loop' and NON-abstracting MEMETIC 'routines', both at autonomic and voluntary levels (ie, arising in the brain and 'animal mind' synergy/evolution/development over an INDIVIDUAL's lifetime).

The essential difference between some animals like apes and humans compared to dogs is that dog's 'survival' INSTINCTS (as embodied/reflected in brain-mind evolved form/function) are more close-looped and less flexible than the more 'flexibly' hardwired/softwared apes and the most flexibly 'ape' of all, humans. When I say 'flexible', I mean that dogs and most lower animals cannor 'break' their primtive and limited 'programming' for survival in their NICHE STATES for which they evolved, ie, whether social 'pack' etc animal, or solitary 'loner' etc animal (except temporarily when mating, of course).

In other words, human's ability to 'abstractly' MIRROR in his BRAIN-MIND 'world construct' the external world and the 'other' individual is much more 'complete' and 'representative'; that is, the 'mirror construct' humans can build and handle MENTALLY and OVER LONG TIME SPANS is much more COMPLEX AND RICH IN RECOGNITION AND COMPREHENSION OF ALL THE 'POSSIBILITIES' that are nowhere near as 'apparent' to lower animal cognition/faculties/comprehension/manipulation etc.

In short, the survival INSTINCTS are animalistic and based on hardwired/software that is more 'closed loop' for IMMEDIACY and TRIGGER RESPONSES (for 'fight or flight' and gratification of hormonally driven food/shelter/sexual etc. which needs) which animals generally CANNOT BREAK OUT OF excpet in exceptionally BRIEF 'excursions' caused by exceptional immediate circumstances (like TRAINING or REPROGRAMMING their INDIVIDUAL MEMETIC repertoir which makes use of pre-existing evolved memetic 'routines' which are 'bundled in a new way by the training).

We humans have no such 'immediacy' limitation (except as 'children'); and we CAN 'REPROGRAM' OURSELVES because we CAN 'mirror' other/world in our brain-mind 'construct' in great DETAIL AND COMPLEXITY and 'KNOWLEDGE' of HOW AND WHAT to do to EFFECT CHANGES in the 'other/world' IN REALITY.....simply by using our more OPEN LOOPED memetic 'routines' and other evolved capabilities that went beyond what ordinary animals have because they are IN NICHE STATES whereas humans are in SELF-AWARE STATES that can AFFECT which 'niche' we may 'choose' from time to time to best effect for SURVIVAL DURING DRAMATIC CHANGE/UPHEAVALS (it is a well observed fact that the more 'flexible' and greater the comprehension/possibility 'states' can handle environmental/group-social change more effectively and successfully for survival than niche states can).

Naturally, the whole BODY capability and flexibility as to physical manipulation of the real world other/objects is part of the evolutionary suite of 'elements' which come together most effectively in the 'ape' life form and especially in the human (highest ape) life form. That is why dogs etc do not get past the 'niche barrier' for which their own body plans are most suitably evolved but are not suited to CREATING AND MANIPULATING THEIR OWN 'NICHES' as they need to as thoings change. Also, HUMANS have since become capable of CREATING THEIR OWN 'NICHES' if need be (evidence our technologies and capbabilities to venture forth in 'niches' we have not experienced/been equipped 'naturally' (ie, SPACE and ABYSSAL OCEAN DEEPS etc).

Sorry I haven't more time, iseason. I hope that is enough to satisfactorily answer your immediate questions? As usual, I'm rushed, so please forgive typos etc.

Cheers!

RC.
.

This post has been edited by RealityCheck on Oct 18 2008, 08:51 PM

The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein praise Him, and there is not a thing but hymneth His praise; but ye understand not their praise. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving. (44) And when thou recitest the Qur'an we place between thee and those who believe not in the Hereafter a hidden barrier; (45) And We place upon their hearts veils lest they should understand it, and in their ears a deafness; and when thou makest mention of thy Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn their backs in aversion. (46) We are best aware of what they wish to hear when they give ear to thee and when they take secret counsel, when the evil-doers say: Ye follow but a man bewitched. (47) See what similitudes they coin for thee, and thus are all astray, and cannot find a road! (48) And they say: When we are bones and fragments, shall we forsooth, be raised up as a new creation? (49) Say: Be ye stones or iron (50) Or some created thing that is yet greater in your thoughts! Then they will say: Who shall bring us back (to life). Say: He Who created you at the first. Then will they shake their heads at thee, and say: When will it be? Say: It will perhaps be soon; (51) A day when He will call you and ye will answer with His praise, and ye will think that ye have tarried but a little while. (52)

read more

quranexplorer.com/Quran/Default.aspx

ahmd

Life has no purpose, other than to live on(reproduction). All else is opinion.

Grumpy

Hi Grumpy

Is That opinion a reproduction?

Cheers
Iseason

Then you already found one "purpose of life" congratulations!

Put your thinking cap on, you might find some of the others.

Then you already found one "purpose of life" congratulations!

Put your thinking cap on, you might find some of the others.

Hi Gary, Grumpy, ahmd, all.

Gary, I wouldn't sound too cocky about that, mate....what I think Grumpy meant to write was 'purpose' in INVERTED COMMAS....since what he aludes to (and what his posting history makes apparent that he knows full well) could more correctly be called LIFE PROCESS' INHERENT NATURAL IMPERATIVE is REPRODUCTION.

There is no life's purpose per se; merely a CONSEQUENTIALLY OBSERVED TENDENCY INHERENT TO LIFE PROCESSES....in the absence of which there would not BE, BY DEFINITION and EFFECT, any life process that COULD be called life process.

See?

Grumpy, have I read you right....did you mean to write 'purpose' in inverted commas instead of just straight unqualified purpose per se?

Back tomorrow. Cheers all!

RC.
.

This post has been edited by RealityCheck on Oct 19 2008, 06:05 AM

With "purpose" being relative to what a person finds purposeful this is a topic that goes on forever with billions of possible answers. But have fun trying to find the one that works for you!

Attempting to answer questions like this is difficult if not impossible because the question it's self is flawed.

A better question might be to ask, " What is the purpose of your life" or "What does life mean to you?"

Purpose is a personal or shared belief, that expresses our limited understanding of how we, or anything else, fits into various levels of universal order. Assigning purpose to any human action is all a matter of perspective. Using a well known figure such as George W Bush as an example, we can easily use a number of labels to define his purpose. He is savior, devil, protector of life, murderer, user and producer of organic compounds, host to billions of bacteria, host to hundreds of living brain cells, and countless other examples of human purpose. These and all other imagined purposes are all valid at some level of existence, and are all elements of universal action, which is the ultimate purpose.

This post has been edited by Capracus on Oct 19 2008, 11:09 AM

We must distinguish between "purpose", as defined by "reason we come into existence", and "purpose", as in the reasons to live we find for ourselves.

It is the first which simply does not exist, there are no "reasons" that life or the Universe came to be, it just is. It is up to us to determine our own justification for our continued existence.

Grumpy