This article provides a detailed answer to the fundamental question of why Allah Almighty created humans and what the true purpose of their life is.
Was man created merely to accumulate wealth, gain positions, indulge in worldly comforts, or follow the self and Satan?
In the light of the Quran and Hadith, this article clarifies that the sole purpose of human creation is the worship and servitude of Allah Almighty.
This article explains the meaning of worship, its comprehensive definition, types of worship, the invitation of the Prophets (peace be upon them), the qualities of Allah’s righteous servants, and the fundamental principles and rules of worship in detail, so that every Muslim can align their life according to the true purpose.
The Purpose of Human Creation
We must seriously consider why Allah Almighty created us.
Allah Almighty, who is our Creator, Owner, and Provider, Himself clarifies our purpose of creation:
﴿وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنسَ اِلَّا لِیَعْبُدُوْنِ﴾
Translation
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
From this noble verse, it becomes clear that the sole purpose of the creation of all humans and jinn is the worship of Allah Almighty.
Meaning and Comprehensive Definition of Worship
Now the question arises: What is called worship?
First Definition of Worship
Some scholars have defined worship as follows:
(طَاعَۃُ اللّٰہِ بِفِعْلِ أَوَامِرِہِ وَاجْتِنَابِ نَوَاہِیْہِ مَعَ مَحَبَّۃِ اللّٰہِ وَخَوْفِہِ وَرَجَائِہِ)
Translation
“To act upon Allah’s commands, to avoid what He has forbidden, while having in the heart the love of Allah, fear of His punishment, and hope for His mercy.”
Second Definition of Worship
Some scholars have defined worship as follows:
(اِسْمٌ لِکُلِّ مَا یُحِبُّہُ اللّٰہُ وَیَرْضَاہُ مِنَ الْأقْوَالِ وَالْأعْمَالِ الظَّاہِرَۃِ وَالْبَاطِنَۃِ)
Translation
“Worship is the name of every outward and inward word and deed that Allah Almighty likes.”
From these two definitions, it becomes absolutely clear that worship is not just the name of a few specific acts but is the name of complete obedience and submission with the love of Allah Almighty.
Worship is not limited to just prayer and fasting
From this comprehensive meaning, it is also understood that worship is not limited to just prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and almsgiving, but every act that is in accordance with Allah’s pleasure is worship.
Remembering Allah in every condition is worship
Allah Almighty says:
﴿اِنَّ فِیْ خَلْقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ الَّیْلِ وَالنَّھَارِ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّاُولِی الْاَلْبَابِ الَّذِیْنَ یَذْکُرُوْنَ اللّٰہَ قِیَامًا وَّقُعُوْدًا وَّعَلٰی جُنُوْبِھِمْ…﴾
Translation
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides and contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth, saying: Our Lord! You have not created this in vain; exalted are You, so protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Seeking lawful sustenance is also worship
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ہُوَ الَّذِیْ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الْاَرْضَ ذَلُوْلًا فَامْشُوْا فِیْ مَنَاکِبِھَا وَکُلُوْا مِنْ رِّزْقِہٖ﴾
Translation
“He it is Who made the earth subservient to you, so walk in its paths and eat of His provision.”
Similarly, He said:
﴿فَاِذَا قُضِیَتِ الصَّلٰوۃُ فَانْتَشِرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللّٰہِ﴾
Translation
“When the prayer is ended, disperse in the land and seek the bounty of Allah.”
Sleep, eating, and marital relations can also become acts of worship
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
(مَنْ أَتٰی فِرَاشَہُ وَہُوَ یَنْوِی أَنْ یَّقُوْمَ یُصَلِّیْ مِنَ اللَّیْلِ فَغَلَبَتْہُ عَیْنَاہُ…)
Translation
“Whoever goes to bed with the intention to pray at night, but then sleep overcomes him, his intention is recorded as a reward and his sleep becomes charity from Allah.”
Fulfilling desires lawfully is also worship
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(وَفِی بُضْعِ أَحَدِکُمْ صَدَقَۃٌ)
Translation
“And there is charity in the intercourse of any one of you.”
The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, asked:
O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! If one of us fulfills his desire, will he get a reward?
He ﷺ replied:
“Tell me! If he fulfills his desire unlawfully, what will be the sin?”
Then he said:
“Similarly, if he fulfills it lawfully, he will get a reward.”
From this hadith it is understood that if the intention is correct, even the natural demands of life become acts of worship.
Social and moral deeds are also acts of worship
❀ Truthfulness, honesty, trustworthiness, and avoiding deceit in transactions
❀ Good treatment of parents
❀ Good behavior towards relatives
❀ Fulfilling the rights of wife and children
❀ Love and goodwill towards common Muslims
❀ Good manners, gentle speech, and smiling face
All these actions fall within the scope of worship in the sight of Allah Almighty.
Summary of Worship
The meaning of worship is that a servant:
➊ Obeys Allah
➋ Avoids disobedience
➌ Keeps His love in the heart
➍ Hopes for His mercy
➎ Fears His punishment
This is the servitude which is the summary of the invitation of all the noble Prophets, peace be upon them.
The Fundamental Invitation of All Prophets: Worship of Allah
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِیْ کُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ رَّسُوْلًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوْتَ﴾
Translation
“And We sent a messenger to every nation, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false gods).’”
Similarly He said:
﴿وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِکَ مِنْ رَّسُوْلٍ اِلَّا نُوْحِیْ اِلَیْہِ أَنَّہُ لَا اِلٰہَ اِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُوْنِ﴾
Translation
“And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that there is no deity except Me, so worship Me.”
Worship: The Honor of Prophets and Angels
Allah Almighty said about Hazrat Isa (Jesus) peace be upon him:
﴿لَنْ یَّسْتَنْکِفَ الْمَسِیْحُ أَنْ یَّکُوْنَ عَبْدًا لِّلّٰہِ﴾
Translation
“The Messiah did not disdain to be a servant of Allah.”
Similarly, about the angels, He said:
﴿بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّکْرَمُوْنَ﴾
Translation
“Rather, they are honored servants of Allah.”
The Greatest Attribute of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: Servitude
Allah Almighty says:
﴿تَبَارَکَ الَّذِیْ نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلٰی عَبْدِہٖ﴾
Translation
“Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His servant.”
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
(لَا تُطْرُوْنِیْ کَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارَی ابْنَ مَرْیَمَ، اِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ)
Translation
“Do not exalt me as the Christians exalted Jesus son of Mary; I am only a servant of Allah.”
Good News for the Servants of Allah
Allah Almighty says:
﴿یٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَیْکُمُ الْیَوْمَ وَلَا أَنْتُمْ تَحْزَنُوْنَ﴾
Translation
“O My servants! Today there is no fear upon you, nor will you grieve.”
Servitude: To the Merciful or to Satan?
From the discussion so far, it is clear that servitude should be only to Allah Almighty, because servitude can only be to two:
➊ To the Merciful
➋ To Satan
Allah Almighty says in clear words:
﴿اَلَمْ اَعْهَدْ اِلَيْكُمْ يٰبَنِيْٓ اٰدَمَ اَنْ لَّا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطٰنَ اِنَّهٗ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيْنٌ وَّاَنِ اعْبُدُوْنِيْ هٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيْمٌ﴾
Translation
“O children of Adam! Did I not take a covenant from you that you should not worship Satan? Indeed, he is your clear enemy. And that you should worship Me alone; this is the straight path.”
How does worship of Satan occur?
Worship of Satan actually occurs through disobedience to Allah, because Satan presents sins to humans in an attractive manner.
❀ It is Satan who diverts people from worshiping Allah, the One without partner, towards shrines, dargahs, and graves.
❀ It is Satan who distances people from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and causes innovations (bid’ah).
❀ It is Satan who incites fulfilling desires through forbidden means instead of lawful ones.
❀ It is Satan who makes a person a slave to self-indulgence.
❀ It is Satan who inclines a person towards unlawful earnings, usury, bribery, gambling, and betrayal.
Worship of wealth and riches
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(تَعِسَ عَبْدُ الدِّينَارِ وَعَبْدُ الدِّرْهَمِ وَعَبْدُ الْخَمِيصَةِ)
Translation
“The servant of the dinar, the servant of the dirham, and the servant of clothing perishes. If given, he is pleased, and if not given, he becomes displeased.”
This servitude is not in the form of prostration but in the form of slavery of the heart, when a person loses the distinction between halal and haram in the pursuit of wealth.
How does a person recognize whom he is serving?
Every person should assess his own condition:
◈ If he
✔ worships only Allah
✔ avoids shirk
✔ performs obligations
✔ adheres to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
then he is in the servitude of the Merciful (Ar-Rahman).
◈ And if he
✖ is involved in shirk
✖ neglects obligations
✖ is distant from the Sunnah
then he is in the servitude of Satan.
It is also possible that a person has a mixture of both; the more obedient he is to Allah, the more he is a servant of the Merciful, and the more disobedient he is, the more he is a servant of Satan.
Characteristics of the servants of the Merciful
Allah Almighty has described the characteristics of His special servants at the end of Surah Al-Furqan.
➊ Humility
﴿وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمٰنِ الَّذِيْنَ يَمْشُوْنَ عَلَى الْاَرْضِ هَوْنًا﴾
[ B]Translation:[/B]
“The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk humbly on the earth.”
➋ Forbearance and Patience
﴿وَاِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجٰهِلُوْنَ قَالُوْا سَلٰمًا﴾
[ B]Translation:[/B]
“And when the ignorant address them, they say peace.”
➌ Night Prayer
﴿وَالَّذِيْنَ يَبِيْتُوْنَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَّقِيَامًا﴾
[ B]Translation:[/B]
“And those who spend the night prostrating and standing before their Lord.”
➍ Seeking Refuge from Hellfire
﴿رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ﴾
[ B]Translation:[/B]
“Our Lord! Save us from the punishment of Hell.”
➎ Moderation
﴿لَمْ يُسْرِفُوْا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوْا﴾
[ B]Translation:[/B]
“They neither waste nor are stingy.”
Avoidance of Shirk, Murder, and Adultery
﴿وَالَّذِيْنَ لَا يَدْعُوْنَ مَعَ اللّٰهِ اِلٰهًا اٰخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُوْنَ النَّفْسَ… وَلَا يَزْنُوْنَ﴾
[ B]Translation[/B]
“And they do not invoke with Allah any other deity, nor kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, nor commit adultery.”
Then He said:
﴿اِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَاٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا﴾
[ B]Translation:[/B]
“Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds.”
Great Glad Tidings for Those Who Adopt These Qualities
﴿اُولٰٓئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ﴾
[ B]Translation[/B]
“Such will be granted the highest chambers in Paradise.”
Principles and Rules of Worship and Servitude
Now we explain the fundamental principles of worship and servitude to Allah Almighty, without adherence to which worship is not accepted by Allah.
First Principle: Sincerity in Worship
Sincerity is the fundamental condition in worship.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمَآ اُمِرُوْا اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مُخْلِصِيْنَ لَهُ الدِّيْنَ حُنَفَاءَ﴾
Translation
“They have been commanded only that they should worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and not associating anyone with Him.”
Sincerity means that worship is only for Allah, and it does not include polytheism, show-off, or ostentation.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(اَنَا اَغْنَى الشُّرَكَاءِ عَنِ الشِّرْكِ، مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا اَشْرَكَ فِيْهِ مَعِيَ غَيْرِيْ تَرَكْتُهُ وَشِرْكَهُ)
Translation
“I am the most free from shirk (polytheism). Whoever does an action in which he associates someone with me, I leave him and his shirk.”
Essential Requirement of Sincerity: Help Only from Allah
Every Muslim says in every unit of prayer:
﴿اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِيْنُ﴾
Translation
“It is You we worship and You we ask for help.”
In practical life, seeking help from anyone other than Allah, making vows or offerings, placing fear or hope in others is contrary to sincerity.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ﴾
Translation
“So worship Him and put your trust in Him.”
Second Principle: Proof of Worship Should Be from Quran and Hadith
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
(مَنْ اَحْدَثَ فِيْ اَمْرِنَا هٰذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ)
Translation
“Whoever introduces into our religion something that is not part of it, it is rejected.”
And He said:
(مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ اَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ)
Translation
“Whoever does an action for which there is no command from us, it is rejected.”
Therefore, innovation is not worship but a rejected act.
Third Principle: The quantity and quality of worship should be according to the Sunnah
Worship:
➊ Should be only as much as the Prophet ﷺ performed
➋ Should be in the same manner as the Prophet ﷺ performed
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(صَلُّوْا كَمَا رَاَيْتُمُوْنِيْ اُصَلِّيْ)
Translation
“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
And regarding Hajj he said:
(لِتَاْخُذُوْا مَنَاسِكَكُمْ)
Translation
“Learn the way of performing Hajj from me.”
Fourth Principle: Worship with love, fear, and attention
In response to the question of Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) عليه السلام, the Prophet ﷺ said:
(اَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللّٰهَ كَاَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ، فَاِنْ لَّمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَاِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ)
Translation
“Excellence (Ihsan) is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state, then surely He sees you.”
The excellence of action is more important than its quantity
Allah Almighty says:
﴿لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ اَيُّكُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا﴾
Translation
“So that He may test you as to which of you is best in deed.”
And He said:
﴿اِنَّا لَا نُضِيْعُ اَجْرَ مَنْ اَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا﴾
Translation
“We do not waste the reward of the doers of good.”
For this reason, the Prophet ﷺ taught this prayer:
(اَللّٰهُمَّ اَعِنِّيْ عَلٰى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ)
Translation
“O Allah! Help me in Your remembrance, gratitude, and good worship.”
Fifth Principle: Make your entire life an act of worship
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتّٰى يَاْتِيَكَ الْيَقِيْنُ﴾
Translation
“Continue to worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).”
The Great Benefits of Servitude to Allah Almighty
Now, briefly, we will mention the great benefits of worship and servitude to Allah Almighty which are clearly stated in the Quran and Hadith.
First Benefit: The dominance of Satan is ended
Allah Almighty says:
﴿اِنَّ عِبَادِيْ لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطٰنٌ اِلَّا مَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْغَاوِيْنَ﴾
Translation
“Indeed, over My servants, you have no authority except those who follow you of the deviators.”
Meaning, the person who becomes a sincere servant of Allah, Satan has no control over him.
Second Benefit: Salvation from Divine Punishment
Allah Almighty, mentioning the fate of previous nations, says:
﴿فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُنْذَرِيْنَ اِلَّا عِبَادَ اللّٰهِ الْمُخْلَصِيْنَ﴾
Translation
“So see what was the end of those who were warned, except for Allah’s sincere servants.”
Regarding Prophet Elias (peace be upon him), it is said:
﴿فَكَذَّبُوْهُ فَاِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُوْنَ اِلَّا عِبَادَ اللّٰهِ الْمُخْلَصِيْنَ﴾
Translation
“They denied, so they will be brought to punishment, except for Allah’s sincere servants.”
Third Benefit: The Great Blessings of Paradise
Allah Almighty says:
﴿اِلَّا عِبَادَ اللّٰهِ الْمُخْلَصِيْنَ اُولٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ رِزْقٌ مَّعْلُوْمٌ فَوَاكِهُ وَهُمْ مُّكْرَمُوْنَ فِيْ جَنّٰتِ النَّعِيْمِ﴾
Translation
“Except for Allah’s sincere servants, for them is a known provision, fruits, and they will be honored, in gardens of blessings.”
In a Hadith Qudsi it is stated:
(اَعْدَدْتُّ لِعِبَادِيَ الصَّالِحِيْنَ مَا لَا عَيْنٌ رَاَتْ وَلَا اُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ وَلَا خَطَرَ عَلٰى قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ)
Translation
“I have prepared such blessings for My righteous servants that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived.”
Fourth Benefit: Protection from Indecency
Allah Almighty says about Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him):
﴿كَذٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوْٓءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ اِنَّهٗ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِيْنَ﴾
Translation
“Thus We saved Yusuf from evil and indecency; indeed, he was one of Our sincere servants.”
Final Advice
The principle of the world is that
◈ Whoever you become dependent on, you become their slave
◈ Whoever you become independent of, you become equal to them
But in the matter of Allah, the principle is the opposite.
The more a person bows before Allah, the higher he becomes in the sight of Allah.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿اَلَيْسَ اللّٰهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهٗ﴾
Translation
“Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?”
Meaning, whoever becomes a servant of Allah, Allah becomes sufficient for him.
Conclusion
If we want success in this world and the Hereafter, then we must
✔ Only become servants of Allah
✔ Avoid polytheism, innovation, and disobedience
✔ Make our entire life an act of worship
We pray to Allah Almighty to make us His true servants,
grant us the ability for pure worship,
and make us independent of everyone except Him.
آمین یا رب العالمین
