Do You Know? : The Purpose of Creation

Why are we here? 

What is the purpose of all this i.e. this world, this universe, this life, this existence? 

Why was it created? 

Why were WE created? 

What is the wisdom behind the creation of mankind? What is the goal? What is the conclusion it will reach?

Rather philosophical questions you might think, but actually, this is the very first question Islam orders us to ask. The very first thing mankind must become aware of. 

Common sense right? If we don't know the reason for our existence, then well, we'll pretty much wander through life aimlessly, going neither here nor there.

Therefore, the very first obligation upon us is to have recognition of the purpose for which Allaah created us.

Allaah says in the Qur'an:

   أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَاتُرْجَعُونَ

"Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?" (Surah al-Mu'minoon - 23:115)

And 

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَاعِبِينَ

We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play.

(Surah al-Anbiya - 21:16)

So He tells us that there is a reason. A purpose for which we were created. That all of this, us and everything around us, was not created frivolously.

So what IS the purpose for our creation?

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).

(Surah adh-Dhaariyaat - 51:56)

And that right there is the answer.

Worship is the wisdom behind our creation.

Allaah, the Most High, created the heavens, He created the earth, He created this life, the next life, Paradise, the Fire, all of these were created for worship.

For worship, Allaah sent the Messengers, He sent the Books, He clarified what is halal (permissible), and He clarified what is haram (forbidden). 

He informed His slaves that they will leave this life and go to another place. And He ordered them with certain things and prohibited them from certain things. And He tested them with desires and temptations that go against what He has ordered.

He created life and He created Death, all so that He may test which one of us is best in deeds.

 ۚالَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed. 

And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving. 

(Surah al-Mulk - 67:02)

Worship. 

All of the slaves of Allaah were created for worship. 

And that is the purpose of our existence.