Approaching the West — Page 104
A pproaching the West—104 jurists. From Isl ā mic perspective, the ultimate purpose of man's creation is to “worship” God (51:58); that is, to know and love Him so much that one’s personality transforms and starts reflecting the beautiful attributes of God. Thus, the final objective for man is to become God’s image on earth. In other words, man becomes united with God, becomes at one with Him. Indeed, for achieving this purpose, one has to devote one’s life entirely in the service of God by surrendering personal egotistical inclinations to His will. Such a selfless service to God requires obeying all of His commandments, using all human faculties to the maximum. Anything that takes one away from the worship of God in this sense, or diminishes one’s love for Him or for His creation would amount to sin. Isl ā m categorically rejects the concept of what is known as “original sin. ” All humans are born pure and innocent, without a tarnish of sin on their souls. According to the Qur’ ā n, the mistake committed by Adam and Eve was in a state of forgetfulness. Once they realized their error, they felt a deep sense of remorse, and asked God for His help and forgiveness. They had to face dire consequences of their mistake by losing the carefree bliss of living in the Garden, but their repentance and prayers were accepted by the Merciful and Ever-Forgiving God. They were forgiven, and subsequently remained united with God. No one “inherited” sin through the process of reproduction. If sin is defined as breaking of God's Law and steering away from God's love, then no one is born in sin. An act of sin is perpetrated when a person is able to make the distinction between what is right and what is wrong as prescribed by God, and he/she intentionally chooses to go against the will of God. No sin can be attributed to a newborn child. The