Worshiping Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu)
Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) stated in the Quran that He created the mankind for one single purpose, which was to worship Him alone: “And I (Allah) created not the Jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)” (Quran 51: 56). Worship, according to the Quran, is a very broad and inclusive term that includes not only praying five times a day, fasting the month of Ramadan, paying Zakah (Zakat), and performing Hajj (pilgrimage to Macca), but also it includes every good deed (action), manner, and word that please Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu). Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) says in the Quran that righteousness is not only turning one’s face toward the east and west in prayers, but also it includes many more virtues and good manners: “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives Zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous” (Quran 2: 177). In the verse the word "Zakah" was mentioned, which is an Arabic word that means giving a specified percentage of certain properties to certain classes of needy people. Giving "Zakah" is the third pillar of the five pillars of Islam. Because the worship of Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) has a very broad meaning, Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) revealed holy books and sent prophets to explain to mankind how to worship Him correctly. Accordingly, Adam (peace be upon him) was the first Prophet, and Muhammad (Salla Allahu alay-hi wa-sallam) was the seal of the Prophets; and in between there were many Prophets. The Quran teaches mankind, until the day of judgement, the good words and the good actions that please Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu). The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu alay-hi wa-sallam) explained the Quran and lived its teachings as a human role model. It is important when discussing the purpose behind the creation of the mankind to remember the second creation process (re-creation), by which Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) will resurrect the dead for judgment and accountability for what they have done in their earthly lives (i.e. during the first creation): “and We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, we will bring it. And Sufficient are We as Reckoners” (Quran 21: 47); “So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it” (Quran 99: 7-8).
The Free Will
Although it was mentioned in the Quran that the purpose behind creating the mankind was to worship Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu), yet He did not force any human being to worship Him. Instead He gave every person a free will in order to choose what to do and what to worship in his/her life. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) mentioned in the Quran that if He had willed He could have made mankind one nation following one religion only: “And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ” (Quran 11: 118). “And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together. So, will you (O Muhammad) then compel mankind, until they become believers” (Quran 10: 99). Thus, Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) made the life of every human being as a test, in which he/she is completely free to do what makes him/her pass it successfully or to fail it miserably. In addition, Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) showed mankind, in full and clear details, the path to success in this earthly life through His Prophets and holy books.
Life is a Trial (Test of Faith)
Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) tests every human being by a series of trials in this earthly life. The first and most important test is to know that Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) is the Only Creator and God. People who believe in Him pass trials successfully. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) will reward them by admitting them in Paradise. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) stated in the Quran that: “Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars (Quran 29: 2-3). “Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is Able to do all things. Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving” (Quran 67: 1-2). A trial of a human being could occur by testing him/her with good things or bad things: “Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned” (Quran 21: 35). Therefore, any aspect of life is a test of faith. Health is a test and whosoever uses his/her strong body to do good things such as worshiping Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) in praying and fasting or in volunteering his/her physical strength for good causes is a winner in this test. Mind (sanity) is a test and whosoever uses his/her mind and free will to worship Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) and do good things is a winner in this test. Illness is a test and whosoever shows patience and remains thankful to Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) during illness is a winner in this test. Money is a test and whosoever has wealth and gives money to the poor as ordained by Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) is a winner in this test. Literacy is a test and whosoever has degrees and teaches or disseminates to people the good knowledge that pleases Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) is a winner in this test. Food is a test and whosoever consumes foods and drinks, which are permissible by Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) is a winner in this test. The list of tests can grow endlessly. However, the bottom-line here is that a human being should always do things in the way that pleases Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu).
The Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful
Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) created the human beings and gave them freedom of choice. They can choose to do good and they can choose to do bad. But we should know that He is the Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful. He tells in the Quran that He forgives people every time they do bad and come back to Him and repent: "Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Quran 39: 53). In another verse of the Quran Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) tells us about his great mercy: "And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah's Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Quran 4: 110).
After reading up to this point perhaps you want to know some information about the creation of other species such as dinosaurs, mammoths, and even the current ones. Now it is the time to discuss this topic. GO TO NEXT PAGE.
Reference of verse translations:
Qur’an. Available online: http://quran.com/
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