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HUMAN existence is limited in time and space but it has a lofty purpose. Every religion highlights the purpose with guidance to achieve salvation. The understanding thereof is a must to live life fully.
The path of understanding the purpose begins with thinking. It is a holy injunction for Allah says “Did you think that we have created you without a purpose and that you will not be brought back to Us?” (23:115).
For understanding the purpose of life, one has to decipher its various aspects. Human life has multiple aspects which include the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic aspects. Every aspect needs nurturing and nourishment. They are interconnected and have a mutual impact on the whole of existence. If all these aspects are cared for and nurtured rightly, they will prove to be a ladder to help an individual reach the noble purpose of life.
A developed intellect improves the quality of life.
The primary aspect of human life is physical. Nature has awarded all creatures, including humans, a particular body with a complex mechanism. It requires nourishment, cleanliness and upkeep from the very first day till the end. Besides, it also needs sleep, rest, protection and a suitable environment to flourish. It is fragile, prone to diseases and changes with time. A number of Quranic verses describe the development and decline of human physique in phases and therefore, physical activities, exercise, hygienic living and continuous care are part of Islamic teachings.
Every individual needs to do justice to his or her body by knowing what is right or wrong, prohibited or not prohibited. Allah says “O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. …” (5:105). With proper care and protection, a person can work towards achieving the purpose of life. Many religious obligations such as daily prayers,fasting,Haj etc can only be performed properly with healthy body and mind.
The second important aspect of human life is the social. We live in society and interact with people; Islam provides a comprehensive value system whose application by individuals shapes the society. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) during his lifetime has set hundreds of examples of practicing the values in letter and spirit. Following these can help a believer find the purpose of his existence.
The third aspect of human life is the emotional, which also carries significance. Every individual possesses a variety of emotions and these are expressed when confronted with a situation. Emotions can be positive or negative but success lies in expressing the right emotions at the right time and place. For example, love is a positive emotion if it is for Allah, the Prophet and even for one’s own family. But this can turn negative if diverted towards illegal accumulation of wealth and other worldly pursuits. Islam guides us to cultivate positive emotions and shun negative ones like anger, jealousy, hatred and haste etc.
Another important aspect is the intellectual. This aspect makes humans distinct from other creatures of God. Humans have a potential to develop intellect and all those who have developed their intellect have an edge over others. Education has a fundamental role in developing human intellect. A developed intellect discovers the hidden secrets of the universe, solves ethical dilemmas and improves the quality of life.
The other important aspect of human existence is the spiritual; every human body has a soul (17:85) as per divine command, which keeps it alive. It is the source of life and spiritual powerhouse wherefrom existence draws sustenance. Further, this connects humans to their Creator. The development of an individual’s soul depends on consciousness/remembrance of the Creator at all times and fulfilling the assigned responsibilities. Islam has prescribed a number of obligations to strengthen our spiritual linkage with the Almighty.
Another important aspect of human life is the aesthetic. This invites humans to appreciate the exactitude, beauty and winsome nature of the universe and seek beauty in all their activities. Islam enjoins us to seek beauty and adoration even at the time of prayer. Beautification of the human body, abode and environment has long been the tradition of Muslim cultures throughout history. The historical buildings and past monuments provide ample evidences that Muslims have always nurtured the aesthetic aspect of life. Presently, we need to apply the same aspect to our cities, towns and even neighbourhoods, where garbage dumps and overflowing gutters are eyesores for everyone.
Understanding the purpose of human life is essential. This helps one to actualise the holistic nature of life. No individual can develop his full strength by concentration of efforts on only one aspect of life while leaving the other areas of human existence untilled. All-round efforts are needed, otherwise one may run the risk of the atrophy of other areas.
The writer is an educationist with an interest in religious studies.
Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2015
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