The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam — Page 164
THIRD QUESTION The Object of Man's Life and the Means of its Attainment The answer to this question is that different people, being short-sighted and lacking high resolve, appoint different purposes for their lives and limit themselves to worldly goals and ambitions. But the purpose that God Almighty has appointed for man in His Holy Word is as follows: 204 وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ That is, I have created jinn and men so that they may know Me and worship Me. Thus the true purpose of man's life is the worship of God, His understanding and complete devotion to Him. the It is obvious that man is not in a position to appoint purpose of his own life, for he does not come into the world of his own accord, nor will he depart therefrom of his own will. He is a creature and the One Who created him and invested him with better and higher faculties than those of all other animals, has also 204. And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me. (The Holy Quran, adh-Dhariyāt 51:57)