The mission of man in this life

No matter how long is the worldly life for an individual, it is temporary, and every creature awaits his final destination. When death comes, man cannot escape it, or even advance or delay it for one second. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "Everyone shall taste the death. Then unto Us you shall be returned." [Surat Al `Imran: 185].

Allah (Blessed and Exalted be He) says: "When their term is reached, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment)." [Surat Yunus: 49].

The entire life on earth is timed and shall end by the establishment of the Hour on the Day of Resurrection. The Book of Allah narrated to us the events of the Resurrection Day and how would be the earth and the universe in those hard days. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Verily, the Hour is coming - and I am almost hiding it - that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives." [Surat Taha: 15].

On that terrible day: "On the Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will be the heavens, and they (all creatures) will appear before Allah, the One, the Irresistible. * And you will see the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism, polytheists, disobedient to Allah, etc.) that Day bound together in fetters * Their garments will be of pitch, and fire will cover their faces. * That Allah may requite each person according to what he has earned. Truly, Allah is Swift at reckoning." [Surat Ibrahim: 48 - 51].

"O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgement) is a terrible thing. * The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allâh." [Surat Al Hajj: 1 - 2].

"When the heaven is cleft asunder. * And when the stars have fallen and scattered * And when the seas are burst forth (got dried up) * And when the graves are turned upside down (and they bring out their contents) * (Then) a person will know what he has sent forward and (what he has) left behind (of good or bad deeds)." [Surat Al Infitar: 1 - 5].

According to Muslims, this life was not created in vain and not for pleasure only, but it is an affliction and a test. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "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." [Surat Al Mulk: 1 - 2].

He also says: "Verily, We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e. those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allâh's sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet peace be upon him]." [Surat Al Kahf: 7].

He also says: "Verily, We have created man from Nutfah drops of mixed semen (discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made him hearer, seer. * Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful." [Surat Al Insan: 2 - 3].

The world is not worthy like the Hereafter. "Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears Allâh, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly even equal to a scalish thread in the long slit of a date-stone." [Surat An-Nisa': 77].

The world is an amusement and play: "And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew" [Surat Al `Ankabut: 64].

Despite the triviality of this world, it is the place of work and a scope for good earning which leads a person to Paradise. "And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a (true) believer [in the Oneness of Allâh (Muslim)], such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a speck on the back of a date-stone, will be done to them." [Surat An-Nisa': 124].

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When a man dies, his acts come to an end but three: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)."

[Reported by Muslim No. 1631, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhy, An-Nasa'y, and others].

Yes, when man dies, his actions and earning end. Hence, a Muslim should hasten to earn the largest amount of rewards and seize the chance of his good health, free time, youth, and richness to take the largest provision.

We are not created in vain and this world was not created by accident, but for it was created for a high wisdom and a sublime objective known by Muslims, therefore, they felt security and became happy, whereas disbelievers ignored it, therefore, they lived in worry and misery. Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us? * So, Exalted is Allâh, the True King: Lâ ilâhaâ illâ Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!" [Surat Al Mu'minun: 115 - 116].

To perfect affliction, good and evil were placed in this life; the blessed is the one who chooses the way of goodness and walks in it, and the wretched is the one who chooses the way of evil and walks in it. Of the great bounties of Allah, the Great, and His Absolute Wise Justice is that He facilitated for each group what they have chosen: "As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allâh and fears Him, * And believes in Al-Husnâ. * We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). * But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. * And denies Al-Husnâ (See the footnote of the Verse No: 6). * We will make smooth for him the path for evil." [Surat Al Layl: 5 - 10].

The mission of a Muslim in this worldly life is to worship Allah alone without associating anyone with Him in worship and to be straight on the right path of Allah. "And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). * I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). * Verily, Allâh is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong." [Surat Az-Zariyat: 56 - 58].

Worship in Islam is not limited to the performance of rites, so a Muslim lives according to the Shari`ah of Allah, does not show disobedience to Allah in all His Commands; and fulfills his duty in construction, as it is part of worship.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "There is a (compulsory) Sadaqah (charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) everyday the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqah, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqah, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqah, and every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqah." [Reported by Al Bukhari No. 2707 and Muslim No. 1009].

Ibn Rajab Al Hanbaly Ad-Dimashqy said: These types to which the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicated of charity may be inclusive such as righteousness, helping another to ride his mount or carrying something on it, good words, spreading peace, invoking Allah for a sneezer with mercy, removing harm from road, enjoining good and forbidding evil, removing harm from masjids, helping the needy, warning the deaf and the bind, and guiding them to the road. And some may be exclusive such as glorification and Takbir.[1]

A Muslim feel that he is responsible for guiding people, helping them, and setting them free of every type of oppression they suffer. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Thus We have made you [true Muslims - real believers of Islâmic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a just (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) be a witness over you." [Surat Al Baqarah: 143].

Allah (Glorified be He) says: "And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allâh) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allâh (Alone)." [Surat Al Baqarah: 193].

A Muslim is required to remove the darkness of polytheism and atheism as much as he could so that the religion would be solely for Allah. As long as there are weak people suffering from a social oppression in one spot of the world and a Muslim can help him, his mission does not end until he rescues them.

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allâh, and for those weak, ill-treated, and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help." [Surat An-Nisa': 75].

O Muslims, know your great mission, for the suffered humanity is waiting for your kind hands to cure its injuries, comfort its pains. Also, it is keen to find the effective cure for its disease, and is looking forward to the gleams of hope coming from your true religion and your pure thought to light with its rays the aspects of the gloomy life and to live the secure and prosperous life under the shade of Islam, the eternal religion of Allah.

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[1] Jami` Al `Ulum Wal Hikam 2 /68.