Author jawad Habib
The verse from the Qur’an, “And I did not create jinn and human beings but so that they may worship Me” (Qur’an 51:56), encapsulates a profound insight into the purpose of human existence. This divine statement makes it clear that human life is not without purpose, but that we are here to cultivate a relationship with God, achieve spiritual excellence, and align our lives with His divine will.
Many scholars interpret the term “worship” in this verse not simply as ritual acts like prayer or fasting but as a broader submission to God’s will, encompassing all aspects of life. Worship, in this context, includes not only the formal acts of devotion but also living a life of ethical conduct, showing compassion, being just, patient, and kind, and seeking to please God through one’s actions.
Human Life and Spiritual Growth:
The analogy of a child being sent to school to acquire knowledge helps to clarify this idea. Just as a child learns new skills and knowledge through structured education, human beings are placed in this world to develop spiritually and morally. The trials and tribulations we face in life serve as exercises designed to strengthen our souls, build character, and deepen our faith.
For instance, integrity is a virtue that remains untested until a person faces situations where dishonesty might seem advantageous. Similarly, patience is a virtue that can only be exercised and strengthened in moments of frustration or hardship. These challenges are not meant to break us, but to refine us, enabling us to grow closer to our Creator.
Purpose of Life’s Challenges:
In this view, the difficulties of life such as personal loss, societal injustice, or natural disasters are not meaningless or random events. They are carefully placed opportunities for spiritual growth, designed by God to test and purify the human soul. Much like how gold is purified by being melted in fire, our souls are refined through the pressures of life. This purification process brings out the best qualities in us patience, resilience, humility, and faith.
Rather than viewing suffering as a punishment or a misfortune, it is seen as an essential component of life’s spiritual journey. These difficulties act as opportunities for us to reflect, grow, and improve, both personally and in our relationship with God. It is through enduring hardship with faith and dignity that we are able to fulfil our true purpose as God’s servants and reach spiritual perfection.
Life as a Test and Return to God:
Another significant point in this analogy is that just as a child returns home after completing their lessons at school, humans, too, return to God after completing their life’s purpose. Death, in this sense, is not an end but a transition back to our Creator, after we have demonstrated the strength or weakness of our spirits during our time on Earth.
This understanding reshapes the way we perceive trials and difficulties. Instead of seeing life’s challenges as negative, they are understood as gifts from God that allow us to prove our worth and strengthen our bond with Him. Our time in this world is brief, a temporary stop on the journey to eternity, where our actions and attitudes toward life’s tests determine our final destination.
Hardships as Refining Fire:
Just as fire purifies gold by burning away impurities, hardship purifies the soul. Trials soften the heart, clear away arrogance, and bring forth qualities such as empathy, compassion, and humility. These virtues are crucial in achieving the spiritual elevation required for our ultimate return to God. In enduring life’s adversities with grace, we reflect the divine qualities instilled in us and draw closer to the perfection that God desires for His creation.
Conclusion:
Thus, the verse “And I did not create jinn and human beings but so that they may worship Me” emphasizes the true purpose of life: to worship God in the broadest sense, through our actions, behaviour, and responses to the trials of life. These tests, far from being punishments, are the tools through which we achieve spiritual purification and growth. By enduring these challenges with faith and patience, we fulfil our purpose and prepare ourselves for the ultimate return to our Creator. This perspective encourages us to view life’s hardships not with despair but with hope and gratitude, as they are the means by which we are refined and brought closer to God.