Dr. Bilal Ahmad, Intizar Ahmad
A Muslim is someone who adopts the Islamic way of life by believing in the Oneness of God and the prophet hood of Muhammad (peace be upon him).In the Islamic perspective, life is meaningful, purposeful, and guided by a clear moral compass. The term “worship” covers all acts of obedience to Almighty Allah. Islam completes the long chain of guidance from God to humanity. Meticulously preserved and thoroughly documented, Islam’s message has a familiar resonance, owing to its shared history and common values, with Abrahamic religions. Additionally, Islam reiterates a return to basic principles of faith: belief in one God, righteous living, and faith in the afterlife. “What! Did you then think that We had created you in vain and that you shall not be returned to Us?” (Quran, 23:115)What is it that we want out of life? Where are we going? What are we doing? What should we be doing? What is the purpose of Allah (swa) sending us to this world? What exactly is our aim in life?People answer these questions in differen
The purpose of the soul descending to this lowest level of realms is so that it should seek to return to its previous closeness with its Beloved Creator, whilst being trapped between the form of flesh and bone. However, on Earth we forgot about the oath that we made in the other world and occupied ourselves with the transitory worldly love of wives, children and wealth.We have entered a state of heedlessness, forgotten our purpose, our function, our promise to Him while living in this world. We have allowed ourselves to love the ephemeral aspects of the world to the point that it surpasses our spiritual yearnings.Many of us today are choosing a way of living that is allowing divine signs to pass by. The Holy Qur’an warns that Satan seeks to adorn things before the human eye, so that we do not see things for what they truly are. A true Believer however, looks beyond himself and focuses on Allah (swa). By doing so, he move’s towards fulfilling the purpose for which he was created, and thus is able to attain pe
In order to reaffirm to ourselves the real purpose of our existence we need to seek the company of the righteous and develop special attachments with them. It is recognized in virtually all traditions and cultures that the company one keeps has inroads to ones heart and morality.When a person is surrounded by people who are sincere and pious, and has no ulterior motive out of his association; he only stands to benefit from them. Scholars have always encouraged visiting the righteous people as part of the protocol of the spiritual ascendancy. Hadhrat Isa (AS) once said “Do not sit with the dead people”. When he was asked who are the dead people, he replied “Those who desire this world”. According to some linguists, the Arabic word for human being is insan, which means to forget. This suggests that one of the characteristics of man is forgetfulness. This implies that we need to be reminded often. Which is why the importance of attaching ourselves with the righteous, who are always busy in the remembrance of Al
“Every created being possesses innate potential designed to progress from a foundational stage toward a specific state of excellence. Using the growth of a seed into a tree as a model, this development relies on a conducive environment to bridge the gap between inherent capability and ultimate perfection.”
We have forgotten the true purpose of our existence, and are in a state of Ghafla (heedlessness). We need to reaffirm to ourselves the true objective of human life, which is the Raza (pleasure) Allah (swa). This can be achieved by permanent attachment with those who are Allah (swa) friends. Only then will we be blessed with the yearning and longing to return to the true home.One must bear in mind that patience, perseverance, and persistency are indispensable in the quest of Allah’s (swa) Raza (pleasure). It is said that he who seeks something and is industrious shall find it, and he who knocks at the door and is persistent shall enter. A person should also remember that one always reaches whatever they desire-only to the extent that they pursue it.“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them for sport.” (21:16)“What! Did you then think that We had created you in vain and that you shall not be returned to Us?” (23:115)These verses lay stress over the point that the creation of thi– of which man is not an exception – is possible only in a conducive environment which helps in attaining and realizing this perfection.
The realization of natural talents and potentialities for man is not possible without knowledge and purification of soul. As the Holy Qur’an says, “Even as We have sent among you a Messenger from among you who recites to you Our communications and purifies you and teaches you the Book and the wisdom and teaches you that which you did not know.” (2:151)Ayatollah Murtadha Mutahhari writes: “Naturally, the mission of the prophets, too, is believed unanimously to facilitate man’s perfection and to aid him to remove the deficiencies which neither he, as neither an individual, nor his society is able to remove. It is only with the aid of Divine revelations that he can advance towards enhancing perfection. Accordingly, every individual must see what he can be after identifying his potentialities, so as to bring them to fruition.”The knowledge works as a guide in this voyage of seeking the goal of life, and purification of soul stands guard against satanic temptations. When both of these factors are present, the pur
To conclude the discussion, we quote Ayatollah Mutahhari again: “Thus the goal and ideal that Islam offers is God, and everything else is preparatory to it, and not of an independent and fundamental importance. In the verses where the Qur’an mentions perfect human beings, or speaks on their behalf, it says they have truly understood the goal of life and endeavored to attain it. It says for Ibrahim (‘I have devoted my worship to Him who has created heaven and earth, and I am not a pagan.’ (6:80) This Sura also says: ‘My prayer, worship, life and death are for God, who is the Lord of the Universe.’ (6:163) “This monotheism of the Qur’an is not merely an intellectual one, thinking that the origin of universe is one thing and its Creator is another. It includes the faith and conviction of man that there is only one Creator, and his goal, which is the only worthy one, is He alone. All other goals are the product of this one and subsidiary to it. “Thus, in Islam everything revolves round the axis of God, includin
(The authors write regularly on “Islamic Topics” exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
