The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 461
18. THE PURPOSE OF CREATION. Though different people, on account of their shortsightedness or lack of courage, appoint various types of objectives for their lives and stop short at worldly purposes and desires, yet the purpose that God Almighty has specified in His Holy Word is: 238 ومَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالّا نَسَ إِلا لِيَعْبُدُونِ :. I have created jinn and men so that they should recognize and worship Me. . According to this verse the true purpose of human life is the worship and understanding of God Almighty and devotion to Him. . Only the Creator can Enjoin the Purpose of Life. It is obvious that it is not open to man that he should himself lay down the purpose of his life by his own authority inasmuch as man does not arrive in the world of his own will, nor will he depart from this world of his own will. He is a created being and He Who created him and bestowed upon him better and higher faculties than those bestowed upon other animates, has enjoined a purpose for his life. Whether anyone comprehends that purpose or not, without doubt the purpose of man's creation is the worship and understanding of God Almighty and to lose himself in Him. 238. Al-Dhariyāt, 51:57 [Publisher] 461