Skip to content
Islamic Knowledge Base

Human Conditions. Serving The Primary Purpose

The Quran explains the human condition as one created for a purpose: to worship and serve Allah swt

Life on Earth is a test involving hardships, trials, and moral choices, and individuals are held accountable for their actions and intentions. 

Purpose of Life

The primary purpose of human existence, as stated in the Quran, is to worship and serve Allah (God). This worship is not limited to ritual acts but includes leading a righteous life and performing good deeds. 

  • “And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (Quran 51:56)
  • “[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving” (Quran 67:2) 

Key Aspects of the Human Condition

The Quran highlights several inherent conditions and characteristics of human beings: 

  • Free Will and Moral Sense: Humans are born in a state of purity (fitra) and possess a natural moral compass that allows them to discern right from wrong. They have the free will to choose their path, which makes them accountable for their choices.
  • Trials and Hardships: The worldly life is inherently a place of trial and struggle. Believers are tested with fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits to prove their faith and patience.
    • “Do you think that you will enter paradise without such trials as came to those who passed away before you?” (Quran 2:214)
  • Personal Responsibility: Each person is responsible for their own soul and actions. No one will bear the burden of another, and everyone will return to God to be informed of their deeds.
    • “Each soul earneth only on its own account; and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another” (Quran 6:164)
  • Innate Weaknesses: Humans are described in the Quran as being impatient and sometimes ungrateful to their Lord. They are often caught up in rivalry over wealth and children, which can divert them from their true purpose.
  • Capacity to Bear Burdens: Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear. This is a source of reassurance, reminding individuals that they have the strength to face their challenges.
    • “God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear” (Quran 2:286)
  • The Power of Inner Change: Allah emphasizes that the condition of a people will not change until they change what is within themselves through their own efforts and dedication.
    • “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Quran 13:11) 

Outcome

Ultimately, the human condition points towards a return to Allah on the Day of Judgment, where individuals will be judged based on their actions and intentions during their worldly life. The goal for believers is to do righteous work, seek Allah’s pleasure, and live a life that prepares them for a good outcome in the Hereafter.