✿ The Vastness of the Universe and Man’s True Purpose ✿
✍ Written by: Dr. Zahid Mughal
A thought-provoking question has been raised:
Given the boundless expanse of the universe, does religion limit the purpose of human existence to Paradise and Hell?
Should not the purpose of man be more expansive, perhaps encompassing some grand cosmic objective?
To address this question using reason alone, several critical points must be understood:
Contemplating the vastness of the universe and attempting to discern its purpose is a natural human pursuit.
But one must ask:
Has man already understood the purpose of every living being on Earth to now be in a position to define the purpose of the entire universe?
❖ Example:
There are thousands of species of insects and animals on Earth.
Has mankind fully grasped the purpose of their creation?
The idea that man is the central being of the universe and that all purposes should be measured relative to him is itself an assumption.
It is not necessary that the purpose of every creature be defined from the human perspective.
❖ Example:
For thousands of years, the lion has hunted the zebra and the deer.
Asking “why” this occurs is a human inquiry — it does not change the inherent reality or purpose of those creatures.
The most fundamental question for man is:
➤ What is the universe?
➤ What is my place within it?
The true answer comes through revelation (waḥy) — and that answer holds the value assigned to it by Divine Revelation itself.
If Allah has not tasked man with understanding the purpose of every creature, then such inquiry is not a part of man's responsibility.
Man must instead focus on how to use the resources of this universe to achieve his God-given purpose.
From the time of Prophet Ādam (علیہ السلام) to the many Prophets that followed, the vast majority of humans had no knowledge of the universe’s expanses.
Yet they attained Paradise through their recognition of Allah and obedience to His commands.
On the other hand, a modern scientist deeply versed in cosmology and physics may still fail in his final destination if he does not recognize his Creator.
To regard Paradise and Hell as minor concerns is based on flawed assumptions.
From the Divine perspective, the most significant question for humanity is indeed that of Jannah and Jahannam.
To gaze upon this vast universe, to realize the greatness of its Creator, to worship Him —
These are among the greatest aims and noblest purposes of human life.
The idea that man should define the purpose of the universe is based on human conjecture.
Revelation teaches that man’s true purpose is to:
➤ Attain recognition (maʿrifah) of Allah
➤ Worship Him
➤ Strive for eternal success in the Hereafter (Jannah)
The vastness of the cosmos is not a platform for redefining man’s objective — rather, it is a sign of Allah’s power and majesty, serving as a means to deepen man’s understanding of his Lord.
✍ Written by: Dr. Zahid Mughal
❖ The Question
A thought-provoking question has been raised:
Given the boundless expanse of the universe, does religion limit the purpose of human existence to Paradise and Hell?
Should not the purpose of man be more expansive, perhaps encompassing some grand cosmic objective?
❖ The Response
To address this question using reason alone, several critical points must be understood:
① Amazement at the Universe and the Search for Purpose
Contemplating the vastness of the universe and attempting to discern its purpose is a natural human pursuit.
But one must ask:
Has man already understood the purpose of every living being on Earth to now be in a position to define the purpose of the entire universe?
❖ Example:
There are thousands of species of insects and animals on Earth.
Has mankind fully grasped the purpose of their creation?
② The Assumption of Man as the Center of the Universe
The idea that man is the central being of the universe and that all purposes should be measured relative to him is itself an assumption.
It is not necessary that the purpose of every creature be defined from the human perspective.
❖ Example:
For thousands of years, the lion has hunted the zebra and the deer.
Asking “why” this occurs is a human inquiry — it does not change the inherent reality or purpose of those creatures.
③ Determining Purpose Through Revelation
The most fundamental question for man is:
➤ What is the universe?
➤ What is my place within it?
The true answer comes through revelation (waḥy) — and that answer holds the value assigned to it by Divine Revelation itself.
If Allah has not tasked man with understanding the purpose of every creature, then such inquiry is not a part of man's responsibility.
Man must instead focus on how to use the resources of this universe to achieve his God-given purpose.
④ Knowledge of the Universe and the Path to Salvation
From the time of Prophet Ādam (علیہ السلام) to the many Prophets that followed, the vast majority of humans had no knowledge of the universe’s expanses.
Yet they attained Paradise through their recognition of Allah and obedience to His commands.
On the other hand, a modern scientist deeply versed in cosmology and physics may still fail in his final destination if he does not recognize his Creator.
⑤ The Importance of Paradise and Hell
To regard Paradise and Hell as minor concerns is based on flawed assumptions.
From the Divine perspective, the most significant question for humanity is indeed that of Jannah and Jahannam.
To gaze upon this vast universe, to realize the greatness of its Creator, to worship Him —
These are among the greatest aims and noblest purposes of human life.
✔ Summary
The idea that man should define the purpose of the universe is based on human conjecture.
Revelation teaches that man’s true purpose is to:
➤ Attain recognition (maʿrifah) of Allah
➤ Worship Him
➤ Strive for eternal success in the Hereafter (Jannah)
The vastness of the cosmos is not a platform for redefining man’s objective — rather, it is a sign of Allah’s power and majesty, serving as a means to deepen man’s understanding of his Lord.
