The Goal in Life

Success and happiness in this world and the Hereafter depend on tazkiya, the purification and nurturing of our personality. The Quran states that true success is only reserved for those who seek to purify themselves:

“Successful indeed is the one who purifies his whole self.” [Surah ash-Shams, 91:9]

Our personality comprises not only the physical body but also the mind and the heart, feelings and attitudes, character and behaviour. Proper nurturing and development of these elements of the personality will achieve desirable goals. When goals are desirable, the process of aspiring to, working towards and achieving them also become desirable. This is part of human nature. It is critical, therefore, that we recognise and understand the true nature of our ultimate goal in life.

For the Believer, the most coveted goal in life is to seek the good pleasure of Allah and Janna or Paradise. Our Creator has set this goal for us: “And surely Paradise - it is the goal.” [Surah an-Naziat, 79: 41];

“Indeed the Next abode - it is truly the life!” [Surah al-Ankabut, 29: 64];

“The companions of Paradise - they are the triumphant ones.” [Surah al-Hashr, 59: 20]

Know, however, that attaining the pleasure of Allah takes precedence over seeking Janna but the two are closely connected. Paradise can only be attained through seeking Allah's pleasure, and when Allah's pleasure is gained, we will indeed be granted Paradise. Reflect upon the following two verses in the Quran:

“And there is a kind of person who would willingly give up personal interests, seeking Allah's pleasure; and God is Most Compassionate towards His servants.” [Surah al-Baqara, 2: 207]

“Indeed Allah has purchased from the Believers their lives and their possessions, promising them Paradise, in return.” [Surah at-Tawba, 9: 111]

The alternative to attaining Paradise in the Hereafter is to be placed in Jahannam or Hellfire and to receive its punishments. The Quran states: “But in the life to come: [it is either] severe suffering, or God's forgiveness and His goodly acceptance.” [Surah al-Hadid, 57: 20]

What is it that makes a person deserving of such a suffering? The answer is to be found in the second part of the same verse: “for the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-delusion.” [Surah al-Hadid, 57: 20] Jahannam therefore, is for those who seek as their ultimate goal in life, not the pleasure of Allah or Paradise, but the enjoyment of worldly gains.

The pursuit of worldly gain is but a mirage. All worldly gains are left behind when you die. All that is on earth is bound to perish while Allah and His good favour will remain forever. It is for this reason that the Queen advises:

“Vie with one another in seeking to attain to your Sustainer's forgiveness; and to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which has been readied for those who have attained to faith in God and His messengers: such is the bounty of Allah which He grants unto whomever He wills -for Allah is limitless in His great bounty.” [Surah al-Hadid, 57: 21]

All your efforts in this world should therefore be focused only on seeking Paradise. It is the Promise of the Almighty that:

“You will only be rewarded fully for all your good deeds on the Day of Resurrection, and [on that Day] whoever will be drawn away from Hellfire, and admitted into Paradise, will indeed have triumphed.” [Al-‘Imran 3:185]