✦ The Purpose of Life in the Light of Philosophy, Science, and Islam ✦
✍ A Reflection on the Meaning of Existence Through Various Worldviews
There are some existential questions that have always stirred human curiosity—questions that philosophy and science continue to grapple with:
✔ What is this universe?
✔ How did it begin?
✔ When and how will it end?
✔ What is the reality of our mind and the external world?
✔ Who are we?
✔ Where did we come from?
✔ What is our purpose in this world?
✔ Where are we going?
These questions keep disturbing the human soul, often leading individuals to deep reflection—or even existential despair.
Such are the questions that have compelled great philosophers and scientists to search for meaning.
Despite centuries of effort, philosophy and science have failed to offer conclusive answers to these questions. Philosophers have proposed diverse solutions:
Some presented a rational concept of God.
Others sought solace in the spiritual philosophies of Hinduism or Buddhism.
Many, however, found clarity in Islamic teachings, as evident in the lives of Muslim philosophers and thinkers.
A renowned Muslim philosopher was once asked:
“Despite your deep study of philosophy and logic, how did you come to embrace religion?”
He replied:
“Because of the question of life’s meaning and purpose.”
Islam stands out as the only religion that provides a clear, rational, and spiritually satisfying explanation of the origin, purpose, and destination of both man and the universe.
During the peak of socialism in Russia, a brilliant Egyptian student, Ismail Adham, pursued advanced studies in physics in Moscow.
Well-versed in religion, history, and philosophy, he became a strong advocate of materialism and atheism.
He authored a pamphlet titled:
"لماذا أنا الملحد؟" – “Why I Am an Atheist”
At the age of 32, his dead body was found floating in the sea. In his pocket was a note:
“Life holds no meaning for me anymore; I am freeing myself from it.”
This tragic end illustrates a profound truth: Atheism and materialist ideologies fail to provide answers to life’s deepest questions.
According to Islam, this world is a place of trial, filled with tests and tribulations. As Maulana Azad aptly stated:
“There is no blessing in this world that does not carry grief and sorrow in its depth.”
Difficulties in life lead people down one of two paths:
✔ A heart grounded in faith turns to Allah,
✔ Acknowledges its helplessness,
✔ And finds peace in divine beauty and mercy.
➤ The Prophets and saints, despite facing the greatest trials, were the most content and spiritually fulfilled individuals.
Imam Shah Waliullah Dehlvi said:
“I possess a heart adorned with the jewels of divine love.”
➤ Those who follow atheism, like Ismail Adham, become victims of existential despair.
➤ Unable to find meaning, they view suicide as the only escape.
➤ Atheism offers no true inner peace—only a desperate, failed attempt to find relief in sin, indulgence, or distractions.
Questions regarding the meaning, value, and purpose of human life and the universe find a complete and coherent answer only in Islam.
✔ Philosophy and science may explore these questions,
✘ But they fail to provide a definitive, satisfying solution.
✿ Islam not only answers the question of “Why do we exist?” but also gives us a path to walk, a purpose to live for, and peace to rest in.
✍ A Reflection on the Meaning of Existence Through Various Worldviews
❖ Fundamental Questions of Human Nature
There are some existential questions that have always stirred human curiosity—questions that philosophy and science continue to grapple with:
✔ What is this universe?
✔ How did it begin?
✔ When and how will it end?
✔ What is the reality of our mind and the external world?
✔ Who are we?
✔ Where did we come from?
✔ What is our purpose in this world?
✔ Where are we going?
These questions keep disturbing the human soul, often leading individuals to deep reflection—or even existential despair.
Such are the questions that have compelled great philosophers and scientists to search for meaning.
❖ Philosophy, Science, and Religion: A Comparative Outlook
Despite centuries of effort, philosophy and science have failed to offer conclusive answers to these questions. Philosophers have proposed diverse solutions:
Some presented a rational concept of God. Others sought solace in the spiritual philosophies of Hinduism or Buddhism. Many, however, found clarity in Islamic teachings, as evident in the lives of Muslim philosophers and thinkers.A renowned Muslim philosopher was once asked:
“Despite your deep study of philosophy and logic, how did you come to embrace religion?”
He replied:
“Because of the question of life’s meaning and purpose.”
Islam stands out as the only religion that provides a clear, rational, and spiritually satisfying explanation of the origin, purpose, and destination of both man and the universe.❖ Atheism’s Collapse: A Real-Life Example
During the peak of socialism in Russia, a brilliant Egyptian student, Ismail Adham, pursued advanced studies in physics in Moscow.
Well-versed in religion, history, and philosophy, he became a strong advocate of materialism and atheism.
He authored a pamphlet titled:
"لماذا أنا الملحد؟" – “Why I Am an Atheist”
At the age of 32, his dead body was found floating in the sea. In his pocket was a note:
“Life holds no meaning for me anymore; I am freeing myself from it.”
This tragic end illustrates a profound truth: Atheism and materialist ideologies fail to provide answers to life’s deepest questions.
❖ Life as a Trial: The Islamic Perspective
According to Islam, this world is a place of trial, filled with tests and tribulations. As Maulana Azad aptly stated:
“There is no blessing in this world that does not carry grief and sorrow in its depth.”
Difficulties in life lead people down one of two paths:
① The Path of Faith and Religion
✔ A heart grounded in faith turns to Allah,
✔ Acknowledges its helplessness,
✔ And finds peace in divine beauty and mercy.
➤ The Prophets and saints, despite facing the greatest trials, were the most content and spiritually fulfilled individuals.
Imam Shah Waliullah Dehlvi said:
“I possess a heart adorned with the jewels of divine love.”
② The Path of Atheism
➤ Those who follow atheism, like Ismail Adham, become victims of existential despair.
➤ Unable to find meaning, they view suicide as the only escape.
➤ Atheism offers no true inner peace—only a desperate, failed attempt to find relief in sin, indulgence, or distractions.
❖ Conclusion: Islam Provides the Only Coherent Answer
Questions regarding the meaning, value, and purpose of human life and the universe find a complete and coherent answer only in Islam.
✔ Philosophy and science may explore these questions,
✘ But they fail to provide a definitive, satisfying solution.
✿ Islam not only answers the question of “Why do we exist?” but also gives us a path to walk, a purpose to live for, and peace to rest in.
