9 replies to this topic

[atheism101]

According to Islam, what is the meaning and/or purpose of life? Also, why is this meaning actually meaningful? Is this meaning practical? And what are the consequences of straying from this meaning?

[SaracenSoldier]

The purpose of life

56. And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). 51. Surah Adh-Dhariyat (The Winds that Scatter)

185. Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). 3. Surah Aali-Imran (The Family of Imran)



The consequences of not worshiping the Creator and disbelieving in him:


36. But those who disbelieve, (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) for them will be the Fire of Hell. Neither it will have a complete killing effect on them so that they die, nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever!

37. Therein they will cry: "Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do." (Allah will reply): "Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition, - could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) there is no helper."35. Surah Al-Fatir or Al-Mala'ikah (The Originator or The Angels)

"Verily the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the sinful, like molten brass, it will boil in their insides, like the boiling of scalding water." (44:43-46).

The Tree of Zaqqum is described in another aayah:

Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum (a horrible tree in Hell)? Truly We have made it (as) a trail for the Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers, wrong-doers, etc.). Verily, it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-fire, The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of Shayatin (devils); Truly, they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith. Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqum in their bellies). Then thereafter, verily, their return is to the flaming fire of Hell. (37:62-68)

Elsewhere in the Qur'an, Allah (swt) says:

"Then, will you truly - O you that go wrong, and treat [Truth] as Falsehood]! You will surely taste of the tree of Zaqqum. Then you will fill your insides therewith, and drink boiling water on top of it. Indeed you will drink like diseased camels raging with thirst! Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!"(56:51-66)

The Prophet (saw) portrayed for us the ugly and terrifying nature of az-Zaqqum:

"If one drop from az-Zaqqum were to land on this world, the people of earth and all their means of sustenance would be destroyed. So how must it be for the one who must eat it?" It was reported by at-Tirmidhi, who said, it is a sahih hasan hadith. [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/105, narrated by Ibn 'Abbaas]

The drink of the people of Hell will be al-Hameem. Allah (swt) says:

"...and if they implore relief, they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their faces. How dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!" (18:29)

"...and he will be made to drink boiling, festering water. He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find great difficulty in swallowing it.." (14:16-17)

If you believe and do righteous good deeds and follow the commands of Allah(God) and if Allah has mercy on you:

72. Allah has promised to the believers -men and women, - Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of 'Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success. 9. Surah At-Tawbah (The Repentance)

13. "..and whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad(saw)) will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), to abide therein, and that will be the great success." 4. Surah An-Nisa' (The Women)

73. And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein." 39. Surah Az-Zumar (The Groups)

Ahmad at-Tirmidhi and ad-Daarimi reported that the Prophet (saw) said, "I asked "O Messenger of Allah (saw), From what are people made?" He said, "From water." We asked, "From what is Paradise built?" He said, "Bricks of gold and silver and mortar of fragrant musk; its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its soil is saffron. Whoever enters it is blessed with joy and will never be miserable; he will remain there forever and never die; his clothes will never wear out, and his youth will never fade away." [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/89, no. 5630]

68. (It will be said to the true believers of Islamic Monotheism): My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,

69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims (i.e. who submit totally to Allah's Will, and believe in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism).

70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.

71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all that the one's inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.

72. This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world).

73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).

74. Verily, the Mujrimun (criminals, sinners, disbelievers, etc.) will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.

75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.

76. We wronged them not, but they were the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.).

77. And they will cry: "O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us." He will say: "Verily you shall abide forever."

78. Indeed We have brought the truth (Muhammad(saw) with the Qur'an), to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.

43. Surah Az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments)

Also: http://www.kalamulla...jannahnaar.html

[SaracenSoldier]

The greatest reward for the People of Paradise is that they will see their creator and the Greatest sorrow for the people of hell will be that they will never see the face of their creator:


The Greatest Delight: Ridwaan Allah and Looking At His Face

"Some faces that Day will be Nadhirah [shining, radiant], Looking at their Rabb." [75:22-23]

Ibn al-Itheer said, "Seeing Allah is the ultimate joy in the Hereafter, the most precious gift of Allah. May Allah (swt) help us reach that goal." [Jaami' al-Usool, 10/557]

Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri reported that the Prophet (saw) said that "Allah will say to the people of Paradise, "O People of Paradise! They will say, "We are at Your Worship, our Rabb, and all goodness is in Your hand." He will say, "Are you content?" They will say, "Why should we not be content, O Rabb, when you have given us what you have not given to anyone else of Your Creation?" He will say, "Shall I not give you better than that?" They will say, "O Rabb, what could be better than that?" He will say, "I grant you My pleasure and I will never be displeased with you after that." [al-Bukhaari and Muslim, Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh]

Muslim and at-Tirmidhi reported from Suhayb ar-Rumi that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, Allah will say: "Do you want anything more?" They will say, "Have You not made our faces white [i.e. honoured us]? Have You not admitted us to Paradise and saved us from the Fire?" Then the veil will be lifted, and they will never have been given anything more dear to them than looking at their Rabb, may He be Blessed and Exalted.

"One report adds, "Then the Prophet (saw) recited the aayah, "For those who have done good is the best [reward i.e. Paradise] and even more [i.e. the honour of glancing at the Countenance of Allah]..." [10:26]

Thus seeing the Face of Allah (swt) was interpreted as part of the "more" [mazeed] which Allah has promised to al-Muhsinoon [those who have done good]:

"There they will have all that they desire - and We have more [for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic." [50:35]

This is a joy and honour that will be denied to the Kuffaar and Mushrikeen:

"Nay, surely they [evildoers] will be veiled from seeing their Rabb that day." [83:15]

http://www.kalamulla...jannahnaar.html

[andalusi]

The purpose of life

56. And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). 51. Surah Adh-Dhariyat (The Winds that Scatter)

185. Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). 3. Surah Aali-Imran (The Family of Imran)

that is the part of the test, but i think real answer of meaning of life is here

God says:

67:1 Blessed be He in whose hand is the Kingdom -- He is powerful over everything --
2 who created death and life to test you [people] and reveal which of you does best––He is the Mighty, the Forgiving;

Meaning of life is to be tested as we can see here in this verse

How shall we be tested?

God answers:

21:35...We test you all through the bad and the good, and to Us you will all return.


This is only part of the test

56. And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). 51. Surah Adh-Dhariyat (The Winds that Scatter)


like ...We test you all through the bad

via Satan who gives bad thoughts to people to commit sins


and the good ( And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).)

if you are going to follow commandments of God, if you going to pray to God, follow his religion, if you going to help poor people and orphans, be kind to your family and parents and so on.

[andalusi]

According to Islam, what is the meaning and/or purpose of life? Also, why is this meaning actually meaningful? Is this meaning practical? And what are the consequences of straying from this meaning?

amazing questions, and you got the great answers above from brother SaracenSoldier

According to Islam, what is the meaning and/or purpose of life?

to be tested by God, what deeds you going to do, and then on the day of judgement you are going to see th results of that test, the it will be paradise or Hell.

Also, why is this meaning actually meaningful?

beacuse you then know why you are here, without meaning of life, you dont know why you are here on earth

Is this meaning practical?

yes, if you know your mening here, you will correct your deeds according to this meaning

when you know that you are tested, you will do everything in your power to do good deeds to earn Paradise and avoid hell.
That leads that you change into a good person, who is good for yourself, family and society.

And what are the consequences of straying from this meaning?

consequences are terrible

you can be punished by God right here on this earth, and in the time of your death when Angel of death pull your soul out of the body, punished in the grave (soul punishment), punished on the day of Judgment and finally in Hell ( with soul and body after ressurection).

Now , choice is yours what you are going to do about it

and i can give you great lecture aboute it

[atheism101]

I don't think I'm really finding any of these meanings meaningful. Just because I claim to have a meaning does not automatically make it meaningful. Why is a meaning like obeying Allah more meaningful than, say, trying to enjoy life while living harmoniously with the people around us (or something along those lines)?

[andalusi]

I don't think I'm really finding any of these meanings meaningful. Just because I claim to have a meaning does not automatically make it meaningful. Why is a meaning like obeying Allah more meaningful than, say, trying to enjoy life while living harmoniously with the people around us (or something along those lines)?

you dont understand Islam that is why you say like that...according to Islam you obey Allah even if you be good to people, help family, even if you have sex with your wife you obey also Allah...so everything good you do according what Alalh commanded you obey Allah even if it is enjoyments

[atheism101]

you dont understand Islam that is why you say like that...according to Islam you obey Allah even if you be good to people, help family, even if you have sex with your wife you obey also Allah...so everything good you do according what Alalh commanded you obey Allah even if it is enjoyments

I didn't imply otherwise...
Edit: And surely "enjoying life" is far from the Islamic view of the purpose of life.

Edited by atheism101, 07 August 2012 - 07:44 PM.

[ParadiseLost]

You asked what is the meaning of life according to Islam and you were given the answer. Whether you find the answer meaningful is another issue. And there is no harm in enjoying your life by spending time with your friends and family etc as long as you don't forget your purpose in this life and as long as you do not forget your duty to Allah. And obeying Allah is more meaningful because Allah is your Creator.

[AHMAD_73]

I don't think I'm really finding any of these meanings meaningful. Just because I claim to have a meaning does not automatically make it meaningful. Why is a meaning like obeying Allah more meaningful than, say, trying to enjoy life while living harmoniously with the people around us (or something along those lines)?

from Islamic point of view, both just go side by side, obeying Allah and enjoying life (from the wider point of view) and add to all of that the success and eternal happiness and joy in the second life , whlie vise versa

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ

فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ {97}

016.097 S: Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life, and We will most certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did.

} وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي

فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَى {124}

020.124
Y: "But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down (not- happy), and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment."

for example,
some may see drinking win as a joy but sure from a wider view, it have many economic, social, crimenal ....and medical side effects not only on the person but also his family and the whole society. and for sure the one who feels good without win have wider and longer happiness, and that what Allah managed for the moslems and trined them to be like.

to have sex with your "exclusive" wife/husband will provide you not only save and happy times, but that will be accounted for you as good deed and will be rewarded for that in the second life as well. from a wider view adultery (by Islamic diffenetion) will lead to social and medical bad consequances, and suspesious- not save- times during and after such action. 1.5 million AIDS cases in the US as long as 10s and 100s of millions of STDs. who is who's father and who is who's son??

Allah, the creator, the designer, the manufacturer of the humanbeing is the most cabable one to regulate and mentain his function, health and happiness during all of the one's life stages.