Read previous article: TRILOGY OF CREATION: THE PAST, PRESENT AND THE FUTURE.
For Present.
Allah who created us from nothingness, from a drop of semen which we detest definitely created us for a purpose. The purpose of our creation is not far fetched. Allah says:
And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).
-Sura Adh-Dhariyat, Ayah 56
This purpose of creation is greatly established with the creation of the first man; Adam. When Allah wanted to begin His creation, He informed the angels saying:
“Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” They said: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, – while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.” He (Allah) said: “I know that which you do not know.”
-Sura Al-Baqarah, Ayah 30
So, when Allah created Adam, he made him a Prophet calling to His way and enjoining people to worship no one but Allah alone. After Adam, several Prophets were also raised amidst their people to worship no one but Allah alone. Some believed, others disbelieved. The worship of Allah is found in following His injunctions and doing away from His prohibitions. To show us how to properly worship Him, Allah sent messages and messengers in different generations: Adam, Nuh, Lut, Ibrahim, Isma’il, Ya’kūb, Yunus, Yusuf, Musa, Issa, lot of Prophets to different races, but with the same message: ‘’Worship Allah without taking partners with Him’’. Then Allah made Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the seal of Prophethood. He sent him with the message of Islam, with the Qur’an and with glad tidings to the believers. The Qur’an informs us:
It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion. And sufficient is Allah as Witness.
-Sura Al-Fath, Ayah 28
So, our main purpose of creation is to worship Allah. To be able to engage in worship, Allah legislated the pillars of Islam which are five. This is encompassed in the hadith related by Abdullah bn Umar that:
I heard the messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Verily, al-Islam is founded on five (pillars): testifying the fact that there is no god but Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fast of Ramadan and Pilgrimage to the House. (Sahih Muslim).
Also, one’s Islam is termed to be null and void except with staunch advocacy and believe in the six articles of faith which was mentioned by the Prophet to Jibril as:
“Faith means to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and the Divine Decree, both good and bad.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
After having known the purpose of creation, the pillars of Islam and the important aspect of faith, one is then enjoined to follow them strictly without having a counter decision against the legislation of Allah and His prophet. This is because it is only obedience to Allah and His Prophet that will bring worldly and eternal success. The Qur’an instructs:
And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.
-Sura Aal-E-Imran, Ayah 132.
Also, it is important for a Muslim to know that all his body parts are for Allah, because He created them in the first place, and all rights are duly reserved to Allah. If he uses them for that which is permissible, he will be rewarded, if he uses them for that which is forbidden, he will have sins recorded for him. There are acts of goodness which are enjoined upon us to engage in as they will earn us reward in the hereafter. Abu Dharr related from the Prophet as thus:
“Every morning there is on the bones and joints of any of you a charitable act. Every tasbeehah is a charitable act; every tahmeedah is a charitable act; every tahleelah is a charitable act; every takbeerah is a charitable act; ordering good is a charitable act; eradicating evil is a charitable act. To fulfill that charity, it is sufficient to pray two rakats of Duha.” (Muslim).
To fulfill our purpose of creation, our thoughts, actions and inactions must be aligned in obedience to Allah and His Prophet, one of the ways to do that is through the remembrance of Allah, this can either be done by reading the Qur’an or saying the Prophetic supplications. The Prophet once told his companions:
“Shall I inform you of the best of your deeds, the one that raises you most in rank, most purifying to your Lord, which is better for you than giving gold and silver and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks and them striking your necks?” They said, “Certainly, [tell us].” He said, “It is the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted.” (Recorded by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah). In another narration, the Prophet said:
“There are two statements that are light on the tongue but heavy in the scale
and beloved to the Most Merciful [Allah]: Subhaanallaahi-l-Adheem (‘High is Allah above any imperfection or want, the Great, from every imperfection) and Subhaanallaahi wa bihamdihi (Far above is Allah from every imperfection and I glorify His praises’).” (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Qur’an is a guide for Muslims, it relates to us the past, present and future. The Qur’an serves as a reminder and reflection. Each time we go through the pages, we will always find a part of ourselves and remain in the remembrance of Allah through it. Allah informed His Prophet about the Qur’an:
We have not sent down to you the Qur’an that you be distressed
But only as a reminder for those who fear [ Allah ] –
A revelation from He who created the earth and highest heavens,
-Sura Ta-Ha, Ayah 2-4.
Also, the Qur’an guides the believing one upon the straight path, as clearly stated:
Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.
-Sura Al-Isra’, Ayah 9
When one sticks to the Qur’an, it will endear them to worshipping Allah more, thus, serving their purpose of creation.
Thereafter, having fulfilled our religious obligations and reached what Allah has destined for us in age, certainty comes upon us all. What is certainty? The last part of this trilogy will explain that.
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